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High-speed operation of LiNbO3 electro-optic interferometric waveguide modulators
1Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lexington, Massachusetts 02173, USA.
Optics Letters
|August 21, 2009
Summary
Researchers demonstrate high-speed optical intensity modulation using electro-optic interferometric waveguide modulators. This novel application in lithium niobate achieves modulation rates up to 1.4 GHz for continuous wave optical inputs.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Materials Science
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Optical modulators are crucial for high-speed data transmission.
- Electro-optic modulators offer fast response times.
- Lithium niobate (LiNbO3) is a well-established electro-optic material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate high-speed optical intensity modulation.
- To utilize single-mode electro-optic interferometric waveguide modulators.
- To investigate modulation capabilities in Ti-diffused LiNbO3 waveguides.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Ti-diffused waveguides in LiNbO3.
- Construction of single-mode electro-optic interferometric waveguide modulators.
- Application of continuous wave (cw) 0.633-microm optical inputs.
- Driving the interferometer through multiple π phase shifts.
- Modulation of a cw mode-locked frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser pulse train.
Main Results:
- Achieved optical intensity modulation at rates up to 1.4 GHz.
- Demonstrated envelope modulation of a 275-MHz optical pulse train.
- Utilized a 68.9-MHz drive signal for modulation.
Conclusions:
- Single-mode electro-optic interferometric waveguide modulators in LiNbO3 enable high-speed optical intensity modulation.
- The demonstrated modulation rates are significant for optical communication applications.
- This work presents a novel approach for high-performance optical modulation.
