Development of a monolithic GaAs integrated optical transmitter

The paper discusses a program designed for the development of a GaAs IOC transmitter consisting of a monolithic surface laser whose output is coupled into patterned channel waveguides. Modulation and switching of the radiation occur in the waveguide circuit and are controlled separately. These structures are to be fabricated monolithically on a single semiconductor chip with each device amenable to integrated low-cost manufacture. The waveguide outputs of the IOC transmitter will be coupled to single mode optical fibers which form a transmission cable. The properties of the semiconductors (Ga,Al)As and (Ga,In)As permit performance of each of the basic functions included in the device considered. The concept of monolithic nondiscrete GaAs diode lasers is examined along with optical stripline channel waveguides and electro-optic channel waveguide modulators and switches.