Active region-less modulator and method

A method of fabricating a polymer modulator comprising the steps of:

• forming a first cladding layer;
• forming a passive core region overlying and with a surface abutting a surface of the first cladding layer, the passive core region extending to define an optical input and an optical output for the modulator;
• forming a shaped electro-optic polymer active component overlying and with a surface abutting a surface of a central portion of the passive core region, the shaped electro-optic polymer active component being polled to align dipoles and promote modulation of light, the shaped electro-optic polymer active component having a length that extends only within a modulation area defined by modulation electrodes;
• and
• enclosing the shaped electro-optic polymer active component with a second cladding layer designed to produce adiabatic transition of light waves in the passive core region into the shaped electro-optic polymer active component to travel the length of the shaped electro-optic polymer active component and return to the passive core region.