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Abstract
Semiconductor waveguide optical switches and modulators are reviewed from the view point of material and structure. As material for switches and modulators, effects of both variations of refractive index and absorption are considered. As for the structure of switches and modulators, basic characteristics of devices, including length, speed, and consumption power, are investigated, and recent experimental performances are shown. For further improvement of switches and modulators, the importance of low-dimensional quantum-well structures and strained quantum-well structures are pointed out.