Photonic Electric-Field Sensor Utilizing an Asymmetric Ti:LiNbO₃Mach–Zehnder Interferometer with a Dipole Antenna

Abstract

The use of an asymmetric Ti:LiNbO 3 Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a dipole antenna to measure an electric-field strength is described in this article. The device has a small size of 46 7 1 mm and operates at a wavelength of 1.3 m. The AC output characteristics show the modulation depth of 75% at V voltage of 5.3 V. The minimum detectable electric fields are 0.28 V/m and 0.646 V/m, corresponding to a dynamic range of about 32 dB and 26 dB at frequencies 20 MHz and 50 MHz, respectively. The sensors exhibit an almost linear response for the applied electric-field intensity from 0.298 V/m to 29.84 V/m.

An Integrated Photonic Electric-Field Sensor Utilizing a 1 × 2 YBB Mach-Zehnder Interferometric Modulator with a Titanium-Diffused Lithium Niobate Waveguide and a Dipole Patch Antenna

“…This has been demonstrated for asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) and 1 × 2 directional couplers. The former devices have an intrinsic bias of π/2, where a geometrical path length difference of a quarter of a 2 of 11 wavelength is required between the two arms [3][4][5][6][7]. However, it is not easy to obtain optimal operation through path length difference alone, because of fabrication tolerances.…”

Integrated-Optic Electric-Field Sensor Utilizing a Ti:LiNbO3Y-fed Balanced-Bridge Mach-Zehnder Interferometric Modulator With a Segmented Dipole Antenna

“…The former devices need an intrinsic bias of π/2, where a geometrical path length difference of a quarter of a wavelength is required between the two arms. [3][4][5] However, it is not easy to obtain the proper operating point through only the path length difference, because of fabrication tolerances. The latter devices are automatically biased at the optimum 3-dB operating point by symmetry of design, offering the possibility of a more fabrication-tolerant device than the asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometric modulators.…”