Cascaded resonant optical phase modulators for enhanced sensitivity while preserving linearity

An optical phase modulator, comprising:

• a cascaded array of optical resonators, wherein each of the optical resonators has an input port and an output port;
• a plurality of waveguides coupled between the optical resonators and configured to provide cascaded optical communication between the optical resonators, wherein each of the waveguides is respectively coupled between the output port of one optical resonator and the input port of an adjacent optical resonator;
• and
• one or more electrodes adjacent to the optical resonators, wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to apply a voltage across the optical resonators;
• wherein the optical resonators each comprise one or more grating structures;
• wherein an RF velocity in the optical resonators matches a velocity of an optical wave in the optical resonators.

An optical phase modulator, comprising:

• a cascaded array of optical resonators, wherein each of the optical resonators has an input port and an output port;
• a plurality of waveguides coupled between the optical resonators and configured to provide cascaded optical communication between the optical resonators, wherein each of the waveguides is respectively coupled between the output port of one optical resonator and the input port of an adjacent optical resonator;
• and
• a transmission electrode positioned adjacent to the optical resonators, the transmission electrode configured to apply a drive voltage across the optical resonators;
• wherein the optical phase modulator is operative to co-propagate an input optical wave with the drive voltage, such that a resonator-to-resonator optical delay is matched with a resonator-to-resonator electrical delay;
• wherein an RF velocity in the optical resonators matches a velocity of the optical wave in the optical resonators.