Appeal No. 1998-2938
Application 08/510,752
This is a decision on appeal under 35 U.S.C. § 134 from
the final rejection of claims 1-7.
We reverse.
BACKGROUND
The disclosed invention relates to a quantum confined
Stark effect (QCSE)-based optical modulator which is
polarization insensitive over a wide range of field strengths.
Claim 1, the sole independent claim, is reproduced below.
1. A quantum confined Stark effect modulator in which
the or each quantum well layer of the modulator has a
non-uniform composition that provides, across the
thickness of the layer, a non-uniform value of lattice
constant to produce a strain profile in the modulator
that provides the modulator with substantially matching
E1-HH1 and E1-LH1 Stark shifts for at least one polarity
of applied electric field from 0 up to 100 kV/cm and zero
field E1-LH1 and E1-HH1 transitions that are
substantially degenerate.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art:
Zucker 5,090,790 February 25,
1992
Ishikawa et al. (Ishikawa) 5,153,687 October 6,
1992
Chen, W., and Andersson, T.G. (Chen), Quantum-confined
Stark shift for differently shaped quantum wells,
Semiconductor Science Technology 7 (1992), pp. 828-836.
Claims 1, 2, and 5 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C.
§ 103(a) as being unpatentable over Ishikawa and Zucker.
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