Optical waveguide Fabry-Perot modulators in LiNbO(3)

Fabry-Perot-type electro-optic modulators have been produced with Ti:LiNbO(3) optical waveguides. The end mirrors are formed by depositing six pairs of SiO(2) and TiO(2) layers at the waveguide input and output faces. A V(π) of approximately 4 V was measured at 0.81 µm wavelength for the extraordinary polarization in a 7-mm interaction length. Comparison of the modulation performance in the linear region with the modulation performance of a polarization intensity modulator of similar geometry indicates a sensitivity for the Fabry-Perot modulator that is ~3 times larger. The sensitivity can be further improved by using higher reflectance mirrors and reducing waveguide losses.