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Free space millimeter wave-coupled electro-optic high speed nonlinear polymer phase modulator with in-plane slotted
Optics Express
|May 14, 2015
Summary
We developed advanced electro-optic phase modulators using a novel polymer and antenna design. These modulators achieve a high carrier-to-sideband ratio (CSR) for efficient millimeter wave signal modulation.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics
- Nonlinear Optics
- Microwave Engineering
Background:
- Electro-optic modulators are crucial for high-frequency signal processing.
- Achieving high carrier-to-sideband ratio (CSR) is essential for performance.
- Guest-host nonlinear polymers offer potential for advanced modulator designs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, fabricate, and characterize novel in-plane slotted patch antenna-coupled electro-optic phase modulators.
- To investigate the performance of these modulators at millimeter wave frequencies (36-37 GHz).
- To improve the carrier-to-sideband ratio (CSR) using a SiO(2) protection layer.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a guest-host type second-order nonlinear polymer (SEO125).
- Employed in-plane slotted patch antenna coupling for enhanced performance.
- Fabricated and experimentally tested the electro-optic phase modulators.
- Derived closed-form expressions for modulated phase and CSR.
Main Results:
- Achieved a carrier-to-sideband ratio (CSR) of 22 dB at 36-37 GHz.
- Demonstrated a figure of merit of 2.0 W(-1/2).
- Improved CSR by over 20 dB with a SiO(2) protection layer.
- Successfully detected 3 GHz modulation of the RF carrier.
Conclusions:
- The developed antenna-coupled electro-optic phase modulators show promising performance at millimeter wave frequencies.
- The use of a SiO(2) protection layer significantly enhances CSR.
- The derived theoretical expressions provide valuable insights for future modulator design.
