Metamaterial antenna integrated to LiNbO3 optical modulator for millimeter-wave-photonic links

We report current research progress on a metamaterial antenna integrated to an optical modulator for millimeter-wave-photonic links. The metamaterial antenna is composed by an array of electric-LC resonators on a LiNbO₃ optical crystal. Large millimeter-wave electric field is induced across the capacitive gaps of the resonators due to free-space millimeter-wave irradiation. Optical modulation through Pockels effects can be obtained when light propagates along the capacitive gaps. The integrated device is operated effectively by considering interaction between millimeter-wave and lightwave electric fields along the capacitive gaps. Basic operations of the integrated device for 90GHz millimeter-wave bands are reported and discussed. Optical sidebands with carrier-to-sideband ratio of about ™60dB by millimeter-wave irradiation power of ~20mW can be experimentally measured using optical spectrum analyzer.