We realized a polarization-independent Mach-Zehnder interferometric switch
at 1.53 mu m using chopped quantum wells. The calculated electroabsorption
and electrorefraction agree well with experiment. The window for polarizati
on-independent switching within 0.1 V is 12 nm. A phase shifting section of
1.7 mm yields a <1dB electroabsorption unbalance and a 6 V switching volta
ge. (C) 2000 Academic Press.