Title :
Push-pull poled polymer Mach-Zehnder modulators with a single microstrip line electrode
Author :
Wang, Wenshen ; Shi, Yongqiang ; Olson, David J. ; Lin, Weiping ; Bechtel, James H.
Author_Institution :
TACAN Corp., Carlsbad, CA, USA
Abstract :
A push-pull structure has been realized for integrated Mach-Zehnder modulators based on a thermoset electrooptic polymer. The two modulator waveguide arms were poled in the opposite directions and covered by a single microstrip line electrode. This device structure can reduce the half-wave voltage by 50% without compromising wide-band frequency response. Efficient poling was achieved by using a compatible cladding material to lower the poling voltage, and by using a top cover piece and an inert gas to suppress air breakdown between the poling electrodes. Our fabricated devices exhibited the predicted 50% half-wave voltage reduction compared with non-push-pull devices fabricated on the same chip.
Keywords :
dielectric polarisation; electro-optical modulation; electrodes; frequency response; integrated optics; microstrip lines; optical communication equipment; optical polymers; air breakdown; compatible cladding material; half-wave voltage; half-wave voltage reduction; inert gas; integrated Mach-Zehnder modulators; modulator waveguide arms; non-push-pull devices; poling electrodes; poling voltage; push-pull poled polymer Mach-Zehnder modulators; push-pull structure; single microstrip line electrode; thermoset electrooptic polymer; top cover piece; wide-band frequency response; Arm; Electrodes; Electrooptic modulators; Electrooptical waveguides; Microstrip; Optical losses; Optical modulation; Optical polymers; Optical refraction; Thermal stability;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
