A Mach-Zehnder interferometric switch with a 0.2 Vmm voltage length product

We have developed a 2*2 Mach Zehnder interferometric switch employing laterally contacted hetero n-i-p-i quantum wells for providing refractive index changes. We observe switching over a 4 pi range with an on/off ratio of 17:1. A differential switching voltage as low as 0.2 V.mm is observed in the push-pull configuration. It is the objective of the present paper to reduce the switching voltage-length product of a Mach-Zehnder interferometric switch by exploiting the advantages of a hetero n-i-p-i quantum well structure for providing refractive index changes in the arms of a Mach Zehnder interferometer switch