An LiNbO3 integrated coherence modulator

The authors describe the principle of operation and the performance of a newly integrated LiNbO₃ modulator specially designed to generate optical delays of several millimeters. This is achieved by using the simultaneous propagation of the TE and TM modes in a waveguide and by taking benefit of the high natural birefringence of LiNbO₃. This modulator is well-suited to coherence modulation of light in fiber-optic transmissions. When powered by a short coherence source, the large optical delays induced by a cascade of such modulators can be used as information carriers to transmit several signals simultaneously. A demonstration is reported using a single source and two modulators in cascade to transmit signals simultaneously