Bragg Multiple Quantum Wells: Tunable Cavities for Optoelectronics Applications

摘要

The main objective of the proposal was to conduct feasibility studies of Bragg Multiple Quantum Well (BMQW) structures from the point of view of their applications as tunable logical elements (switches, modulators, filters, etc) for optical and optoelectronic circuits and identify structures most suitable for such applications. As a result of this research the authors developed new approaches to computations of excitonic characteristics of quantum well structures and their response to static electric field, analyzed the effects of the interface disorder on optical and electro-optical properties of these structures, suggested a concrete design of a defect BMQW structure with optimal for switching applications characteristics, and demonstrated theoretically its reversible tunability. Authors also developed a comprehensive theoretical approach to describing reflection, transmission, absorption, and luminescent spectra of generic resonant photonic structures, and designed computer codes for efficient computation of these spectra. An important outcome of the work was demonstration of the possibility to significantly affect the performance characteristics of the systems under consideration through a smart structural design. Two graduate students and two post-docs actively participated in the work on this project. One of those students has successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis, and the second student is completing his dissertation.