Electro-optic modulator utilizing copper-tungsten electrodes for improved thermal stability

Abstract

A high-power electro-optic modulator (EOM) is formed to use specialized electrodes of a material selected to have a CTE that matches the CTE of the modulator's crystal. Providing CTE matching reduces the presence of stress-induced birefringence, which is known to cause unwanted modulation of the propagating optical signal. The specialized electrodes are preferably formed of a CuW metal matrix composite having a W/Cu ratio selected to create the matching CTE value. Advantageously, the CuW-based electrodes also exhibit a thermal conductivity about an order of magnitude greater than conventional electrode material (brass, Kovar) and thus provide additional thermal stability to the EOM's performance.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.