GaAs is environmentally stable, radiation-hard and lacking undesired pyroelectric effects. Originally developed for Aerospace and Defense applications, these useful properties make GaAs high-speed modulator technology desirable for all system applications. 

​GaAs-based devices are linear and well-suited for zero-chirp applications over a wide wavelength range.Essentially field-operated, low-current devices they do not require temperature control and are stable, robust and long-lived.​