Abstract:
A Mach-Zehnder type optical modulator according to the present invention is characterized by: that it comprises a beam splitting unit for splitting input light into two component light beams, a first waveguide and a second waveguide for guiding respective ones of the split component light beams, a beam combining unit for combining together the component light beams guided respectively by the first and second waveguides and outputting the combined light, a plurality of electrodes which are formed into electrode pairs as a result of being arranged on the first and second waveguides in a symmetric and parallel manner, and driving units for differentially driving respective ones of the electrode pairs in accordance with the magnitude relationships between the voltage of an input signal and respective ones of threshold voltages set individually for the electrode pairs; and that, by thus being driven differentially, the plurality of electrodes each apply a voltage for modulating the input light to the waveguide on which they are arranged.
Abstract:
Disclosed are structures and methods for CMOS drivers that drive silicon optical push-pull Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZMs) with twice the drive voltage per interferometer arm as with prior art designs.
Abstract:
In a nest MZI modulator in which each arm includes a child MZI, the power consumption is reduced. The hybrid integrated-type nest MZI modulator of the embodiment 1a is configured so that, instead of placing a relative phase adjusting section in a parent MZI, a bias electrode Bias 90° in which an electric field is applied in the same direction to the polarization direction in both of the upper and lower arms is placed in each child MZI (see FIG. 4B). The bias electrode Bias 90° provided in each child MZI constitute the entirety of a relative phase adjusting section. The optical signals are subjected to a phase change after the output from the child MZI (see FIG. 1A), because such relative phase adjusting section can subject the optical signals of the upper and lower arms of the child MZI to a shift change in the same direction, respectively.
Abstract:
An interferometer used for modulating an optical signal with an electrical signal is described, where the optical signal can be subsequently detected so as to sample and digitize the electrical signal. Nonlinear optical elements can be located inside the interferometer to reduce the minimum detectable electrical input signal size. The interferometer can contain more than two arms to improve the tolerable dynamic range of the electrical signal. In some cases some outputs of the interferometer are dependent on the electrical input frequency while others have minimal frequency dependence, thereby allowing the frequency of the input electrical signal to be measured more easily. Ideally the modulator operates in a push-pull mode with a single electrode for the input electrical signal. Such a modulator can be constructed by using appropriate optical delay elements.
Abstract:
An electro-optic Mach-Zehnder modulator arrangement includes first and second optical waveguides forming, respectively, first and second arms of the Mach-Zehnder modulator. An electrode arrangement includes a first waveguide electrode output port coupled to the first waveguide electrodes a second waveguide electrode arranged on top of a capacitive segment of the first and the second optical waveguides, respectively, such that a voltage can be applied across the capacitive segments of the first and second optical waveguide. At least one driver unit supplies a voltage to the electrode arrangement. The driver unit includes first and second output ports coupled, respectively, to the first and second waveguide electrodes. The driver unit supplies first and second varying signals to the first and second waveguide electrodes via the first and second output ports, respectively. A non-grounded conductive region connects the capacitive segments of the first and second optical waveguides to each other.
Abstract:
An optical modulating apparatus includes driver that is mounted on a printed circuit board such that a signal electrode pad and a ground electrode pad of the driver are exposed in an opening of the printed circuit board. An optical modulating device is mounted on the printed circuit board, opposing the driver across the opening. A flexible circuit board is disposed in the opening. An end of a signal terminal of the flexible circuit board is electrically connected to a signal electrode of the optical modulating device. An end of a ground terminal of the flexible circuit board is electrically connected to a ground electrode of the optical modulating device. The other end of the signal terminal is soldered to the signal electrode pad of the driver, and the other end of the ground terminal is soldered to the ground electrode pad of the driver.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are methods, structures, and devices that compensates for modulator loss and modulation inefficiencies introduced by mask misalignments in opposite oriented pn type junction modulators. More specifically, Mach-Zehnder type optical modulators are disclosed wherein both arms in the MZI modulator are arranged in a push-pull configuration and configured to experience pn type junctions of two orientations wherein both arms further configured to experience the same length of waveguide with a pn type junction of each orientation.
Abstract:
An apparatus for providing electrooptic modulation. The apparatus includes electrical contacts, a waveguide coupled between the electrical contacts, and a nonlinear optical material positioned in the slot region. The waveguide includes a first arm and a second arm that are each arranged to define a slot region for confining an optical mode. The slot region has a height, t1, and each of the first arm and the second arm include a strip load region having a height that is less than the height, t1, of the slot region. Each of the first arm and the second arm is configured to provide an electrical signal to the slot region via at least one of the electrical contacts. In one embodiment, the nonlinear optical material includes a χ2-based material. In another embodiment, each of the first arm and the second arm have an “L”-type shape.
Abstract:
The method and system are disclosed for automatic feedback control of integrated optical quadrature modulator for generation of optical quaternary phase-shift-keyed signal in coherent optical communications. The method comprises the steps of detecting at least a part of an output optical signal from the QPSK modulator, extracting of a particular portion of the output signal in frequency domain, and processing the signal in frequency domain to optimize the transmission of an optical link. The system and method of optical communications in fiber or free space are disclosed that implement the quadrature data modulator with automatic feedback control.
Abstract:
A method that includes (a) thermally biasing an electro-optic polymer device using an electrode; and (b) driving the electro-optic polymer device by applying a high frequency signal to the device using the same electrode.