Optical waveguide Fabry-Perot modulators in LiNbO(3).

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optoelectronics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Electro-optic modulators are crucial components in optical communication and signal processing.
• Titanium-indium-lithium niobate (Ti:LiNbO3) is a well-established material for integrated optics due to its excellent electro-optic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize Fabry-Perot-type electro-optic modulators using Ti:LiNbO3 optical waveguides.
• To evaluate the modulation performance and sensitivity of the developed modulators.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Ti:LiNbO3 optical waveguides.
• Deposition of multi-layer dielectric mirrors (SiO2/TiO2) at waveguide facets to form a Fabry-Perot cavity.
• Measurement of modulation voltage (Vπ) and comparison of modulation sensitivity with polarization intensity modulators.

Main Results:

• Fabry-Perot-type electro-optic modulators were successfully produced.
• A Vπ of approximately 4 V was measured at 0.81 µm wavelength for extraordinary polarization.
• The Fabry-Perot modulator exhibited approximately 3 times higher sensitivity compared to a similar polarization intensity modulator.

Conclusions:

• Fabry-Perot-type electro-optic modulators based on Ti:LiNbO3 offer enhanced modulation sensitivity.
• Further improvements in sensitivity are achievable by optimizing mirror reflectivity and reducing waveguide losses.