A monolithically integrated intensity-independent polarization-sensitive switch operating at 1.3 μm based on ordering in InGaAsP

Recently we have shown that the quaternary semiconductor InGaAsP spontaneously forms a mono-atomic superlattice oriented in [1 1 1]B-direction if grown under suitable conditions by MOVPE. The superlattice-induced reduction of the crystal-symmetry leads to a much larger polarisation anisotropy as in ternary III/V-semiconductors, as the ordering affects both the group-III- and the group-V-sub-lattice. In this contribution we report on an optoelectronic switch, based on the absorption anisotropy for [1 1 0]- and [1 1¯ 0]-polarised light. Switching between “on” and “off” depends on the polarisation angle only, but hardly on the intensity.