2-CHANNEL WAVE-GUIDE MODULATOR BASED ON SURFACE-WAVE PROPAGATING IN ASEMICONDUCTOR-METAL THIN-FILM STRUCTURE

The results of theoretical investigations of two-channel waveguide mod ulator based on Surface Wave (SW) propagation are presented. The struc ture studied consists of two n-type semiconductor waveguide channels s eparated from each other by a dielectric gap and coated by a metal. Th e SW propagates at the semiconductor-metal interface across an externa l magnetic field which is parallel to the interface. An external de vo ltage is applied to the metal surface of one channel to provide a smal l phase shift between two propagating modes. In a coupled mode approxi mation, two possible regimes of operation of the structure, namely as a directional coupler and as an electro-optical modulator, are conside red. Our results suggest new applications in millimeter and submillime ter wave solid-state electronics and integrated optics.