Optical modulator
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorTal Fishman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical modulator consists of an electrical input for receiving an electrical control signal, an optical output for outputting an optical signal, and at least two optical cavities coupled together according to a set of coupling parameters. The electrical control signal frequency is in a narrow frequency band, and the coupling parameters are selected to match the modulator frequency band of operation.
Claims72
An optical modulator comprising:
- an electrical input for receiving an electrical control signal in a narrow frequency band,
- an optical output for outputting an optical signal, and
- at least two optical cavities coupled together according to a set of coupling parameters selected to match said narrow-band.
An optical modulator comprising:
- an electrical input for receiving a narrow-band electrical control signal at an externally selected control frequency,
- an optical output for outputting an optical signal from said modulator, and
- at least one optical cavity associated with said electrical input and said optical output, arranged to support at least two optical modes having respective resonance wavelengths selected in accordance with said control frequency.
A method for providing an optical signal modulated with a selectable frequency, said method comprising:
- applying an electromagnetic control signal to an optical cavity, such that an optical wavelength of an optical signal is shifted by said electromagnetic control signal so as to redistribute power between resonant modes of said modulator;
- injecting an optical signal into said coupled cavities;
- and
- applying an electromagnetic control signal to said coupled cavities.
A method for manufacturing a narrow-band optical modulator, said method comprising:
- coupling together two optical cavities;
- adjusting coupling coefficients between said cavities such that a frequency difference between a resonant frequency of a first mode of said coupled cavities and a resonant frequency of a second mode of said coupled cavities substantially equals an integer multiple of a modulation frequency within said frequency range;
- phase tuning said coupled cavities such that one of said modes is substantially at resonance;
- and
- adjusting a coupling rate between said resonant modes such that said normal mode coupling rate substantially equals a total optical loss of said modulator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.