Nanostructure based electro-optic modulators for high speed optical interconnects

We are currently developing a CMOS compatible optical modulator based on semiconductor nanostructure arrays that has the potential to provide large modulation depths as well as very high operation speeds. The basis of the expected performance improvements are the strong non-linear and electro-optic effects that occur in low dimensional nanostructures due to quantum confined Franz-Keldysh effect and quantum confined Stark effect. The nanostructures are fabricated by a novel thin film template-based synthesis technique that is CMOS compatible. The technique is based on the anodization, or electrolytic oxidation, of a thin film of aluminum to form a nanoporous alumina template, which guides the synthesis of the semiconductor nanostructures.