Method for measuring the rf modulation characteristics of Mach-Zehnder-type modulators

Abstract

We derive the frequency spectrum of the light output from Mach-Zehnder-type waveguide modulators and demonstrate the excellent agreement of the experimental results with theory. From the measurement of the frequency spectrum the rf modulation characteristics can be deduced. This method is advantageous as it permits the evaluation of the modulator performance up to frequencies above 1 GHz without requiring high optical power, thus eliminating the risk of optical damage in the waveguides. The tested modulator shows a 3-dB cutoff frequency of 1.1 GHz; the figure of merit is Q≈130 μW/MHz.

Accurate Calibration and Measurement of Optoelectronic Devices

“…The optical spectrum analysis method was firstly proposed by F. Auracher and R. Keil [14]. Later, T. Kawanishi and S. Oikawa demonstrated half-wave voltage (Vπ) measurements of MZMs under small-signal approximation model based on the optical spectrum analysis [15], [16].…”

Electrode Optimization Of High Speed Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

“…The physics of Mach-Zehnder interferometric operation has been discussed previously in great detail [9,10] and is briefly reviewed. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer comprises two key elements which are the waveguide and electrode as shown in Fig.…”

Integrated Optic Strip Waveguides Driven by Surface Acoustic Waves

“…The optical spectrum of an electrically switched MachZehnder waveguide interferometer was calculated in [19]. The SAWDIF spectrum is similar because of comparable modulation effects.…”

“…But since there are some differences between modulation by electrodes and by a SAW, the calculation is shortly reviewed. Following Auracher and Keil [19] the electrical field E u of the light wave propagating in the upper arm of the interferometer (Fig. 5) can be written as…”