The influence of optical feedback from coupled cavities on the reflective responses of absorption‐tunable Fabry–Pe´rot resonators has been examined and analyzed. The merits and improvements in performance of optical modulators utilizing the designs of coupled Fabry–Pe´rot resonators have been discussed. The variety of reflectivity responses available from coupled‐cavity Fabry–Pe´rot structures provides enhanced flexibility in device designs which minimizes the sensitivity of single‐cavity devices to variations in layer thicknesses and compositions, operating wavelength, and temperature. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.