The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 30, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 29, 1998
Richard Bendicks Bylsma, Allentown, PA (US);
Leonard Jan-Peter Ketelsen, Clinton, NJ (US);
Sharon Kay Sputz, Teaneck, NJ (US);
Agere Systems Optoelectronics Guardian Corp., Orlando, FL (US);
Abstract
The invention in one aspect is an optical modulator which includes a waveguide region of semiconductor material. In order to achieve a gradual, essentially linear transfer function, the bandgap of the waveguide region is graded along the direction of light propogation or perpendicular thereto. In accordance with another aspect, the invention is an electroabsorption modulated laser where the portion of the waveguide region defining the modulator has a graded bandgap. In accordance with a method aspect, the waveguide region of the modulator is grown using a mask having a varying width to achieve the graded bandgap.