US 5,675,673 A · Integrated optic modulator with segmented electrodes and sloped waveguides

Abstract

An optical modulator having an electrode structure which is divided into a plurality of relatively small segments is described. The segments are connected via bond wires and transmission lines on an adjoining microwave circuit board. The optical modulator includes a pair of waveguides which are sloped so as to result in a nonparallel waveguide structure which reduces acoustic effects, e.g., ripple. By using a plurality of small segments to implement the electrode structure a high degree of sensitivity is achieved as compared to when a single lengthy electrode structure is used. The combination of the non-parallel waveguides and a segmented electrode provides for a relatively large flat frequency response, e.g., in excess of 1 GHz. The electrode structure is also designed to minimize the effective capacitance of the electrode structure to thereby broaden the bandwidth of the optic modulator of the present invention as compared to devices using solid electrodes.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An optic modulator, comprising:

a substrate of an electro-optic material;
a pair of first and second waveguide segments formed in said substrate and extending substantially coextensively with one another in a longitudinal direction, the first and second waveguide segments being separated by a transverse distance that gradually varies along a substantial portion of the course of the first and second waveguide segments;
an outer electrode assembly, substantially surrounding the first and second waveguide segments, the outer electrode assembly including a plurality of outer electrode segments, the plurality of outer electrode segments forming a plurality of n compartments through which the pair of first and second waveguide segments extend;
and
a plurality of n inner electrode assemblies, one of the n inner electrode assemblies being located in each one of the n compartments, at least a portion of each one of the inner electrode assemblies being positioned between the portion of the first and second waveguide segments which extends through the compartment in which the one of the inner electrode assemblies is located.

2 more elements

An optic modulator, comprising:

a substrate of an electro-optic material;
a pair of first and second waveguide segments formed in said substrate and extending substantially coextensively with one another in a longitudinal direction, the first and second waveguide segments being separated by a transverse distance that gradually varies along a substantial portion of the course of the first and second waveguide segments;
an outer electrode assembly, substantially surrounding the first and second waveguide segments, the outer electrode assembly including a plurality of electrode segments, the plurality of electrode segments forming a plurality of n compartments through which the pair of first and second waveguide segments extend;
and
a plurality of inner electrode means for serving as modulating electrodes, each one of the inner electrode means being located in a different one of the n compartments;
modulating voltage means for supplying a modulating voltage to the plurality of inner electrode means to induce a modulating electric field between the inner electrode means and the outer electrode assembly in a region through which the first and second waveguide segments extend;
input means for introducing two portions of light, one portion of light being introduced into each waveguide segment;
and
output means for combining the two portions of light with one another after the emergence thereof from the first and second waveguide segments to produce a modulated light output signal.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Integrated optic modulator with segmented electrodes and sloped waveguides

Life of this patent

Integrated optic modulator with segmented electrodes and sloped waveguides

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20