Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
09:36
Characterization of Anisotropic Leaky Mode Modulators for Holovideo
Published on: March 19, 2016
High Deltan strip-loaded electro-optic polymer waveguide modulator with low insertion loss
Christopher T DeRose1, Roland Himmelhuber, D Mathine
1College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA. cderose@optics.arizona.edu
Optics Express
|March 5, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed a new electro-optic polymer modulator with record-low optical insertion loss. This innovative design achieves 5.7 dB loss and a 2.8 V half-wave voltage, advancing optical communication technologies.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Materials Science
- Integrated Optics
Background:
- Electro-optic modulators are crucial components in optical communication systems.
- Minimizing optical insertion loss and operational voltage is key for device efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a novel electro-optic polymer modulator.
- To achieve record-low optical insertion loss and low half-wave voltage.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a high numerical aperture passive waveguide integrated with refractive index tapers.
- Fabricated the device using all wet-etch techniques and novel low-loss sol-gel materials.
Main Results:
- Achieved a record low optical insertion loss of 5.7 dB at 1550 nm.
- Demonstrated a low half-wave voltage of 2.8 V.
- Wet-etch fabrication minimized excess loss due to surface roughness.
Conclusions:
- The novel electro-optic polymer modulator design offers significant improvements in performance.
- The device shows potential for next-generation optical communication and signal processing applications.
