Monolithically integrated semiconductor optical amplifier and electroabsorption modulator with dual-waveguide spot-size converter input

Introduction

“…In the recent years, more researchers have turned to the problem of actually integrating a number of devices on one substrate. This has led to monolithic OIC's, combining lasers, modulators or switches, and detectors [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. Such a trend no doubt will continue in the future and should result in larger scale integration.…”

Electroabsorption modulated semiconductor optical amplifier monolithically integrated with spot-size converters

“…One of the best ways to implement those functions is a monolithic integration of optical semiconductor devices, such as electroabsorption modulators (EAM), semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), and passive functional devices, such as arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs), multimode interference devices (MMIs) and spot-size converters (SSCs), because the monolithic integration offers functional optical circuits, compactness, and low cost. Integrating the SOA with the EAM (SOA/EAM) is promising for a high-performance modulator, because the SOA can compensate for the inevitable insertion loss of the EAM and coupling loss to a fiber [1][2][3]. Monolithically integrated SOA and EAM with SSC input and output (SSES) has been paid more attention for its direct coupling to an optical fiber with low-loss coupling, large alignment tolerances and simple packaging schemes without using a micro-lens or tapered fiber [4][5][6].…”

Monolithically integrated semiconductor optical amplifier and electroabsorption modulator with dual-waveguide spot-size converter input and output

“…The monolithic integration component with a variety of active and passive photonic devices is becoming increasingly attractive due to its miniaturized multifunction optical circuits, compactness, low-cost batch fabrication and high stability. Integrating the SOA with the EAM (SOA/EAM) is promising for a highperformance modulator, because the SOA can compensate for the inevitable insertion loss of the EAM and coupling loss to a fibre [1][2][3]. Monolithically integrated SOAs and EAMs with spot-size converter input and output (SSC+SOA+EAM+SSC, SSES) have been paid more attention for their direct coupling to an optical fibre with low-loss coupling, large alignment tolerances and simple packaging schemes without using a micro-lens or tapered fibre [4][5][6].…”