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US 6,532,315 B1Granted
Variable chirp optical modulator having different length electrodes
AssigneeDonald J. Lenkszus
InventorsHenry Hung, Clarence Laskoskie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A variable chirp optical modulator is provided. An optical waveguide is split for part of its length into first and second waveguide arms. Electrode pairs are positioned to be proximate a first portion of corresponding waveguide arms. The lengths of each of the electrodes are different and are selected to provide a predetermined level of chirp.
Claims36
An optical modulator, comprising:
- an optical waveguide, said optical waveguide splitting for part of its length into first and second waveguide arms, said waveguide arms recombining to an output waveguide portion;
- a first electrode pair proximate said first waveguide arm and arranged with respect to each other and said first waveguide arm to subject a first optical length of said first waveguide to a first modulating electric field;
- a second electrode pair proximate said second waveguide arm and arranged with respect to each other and to said second waveguide arm to subject a first optical length of said second waveguide arm to a second modulating electric field, said second electrode pair being shorter than said first electrode pair, the lengths of said first electrode pair and said second electrode pair being selected to provide a predetermined amount of chirp;
- and
- means for providing unequal optical power in said first and said second waveguide arms.
2 more elements
An optical modulator comprising:
- an optical waveguide;
- first and second optical waveguide arms;
- an optical apparatus coupled to said waveguide and coupled to said first and second waveguide arms;
- a common electrode;
- disposed between said first and second waveguide arms;
- a first electrode disposed on one side of said common electrode and spaced apart therefrom to produce a first gap;
- a second electrode disposed on another side of said common electrode and spaced apart therefrom to produce a second gap;
- said first waveguide arm comprising a first portion positioned proximate said first gap;
- said second waveguide arm comprising a first portion positioned proximate said second gap and a second portion positioned a distance away from said second gap;
- said first electrode having a first length, said second electrode having a second length, said first length and said second length having a predetermined relationship.
7 more elements
An optical modulator in accordance with claim 16, wherein:
- said first waveguide arm has a first total optical length;
- said second waveguide arm has a second total optical length;
- and
- said first total optical length is substantially equal to said second total optical length.
1 more element
An optical modulator, comprising:
- an optical waveguide, said optical waveguide splitting for part of its length into first and second waveguide arms, said waveguide arms recombining to an output waveguide portion;
- a first electrode proximate said first waveguide arm to subject a first optical length of said first waveguide to a first modulating electric field;
- a second electrode proximate said second waveguide arm to subject a first optical length of said second waveguide arm to a second modulating electric field, said second electrode being shorter than said first electrode, the lengths of said first electrode and said second electrode being selected to provide a predetermined amount of chirp;
- and apparatus in said optical waveguide providing for different optical power levels in said first and said second waveguide arms to control the amount of chirp.
1 more element
An optical modulator comprising:
- an optical waveguide;
- first and second optical waveguide arms;
- an optical apparatus coupled to said waveguide and coupled to said first and second waveguide arms;
- a first electrode;
- a second electrode;
- said first waveguide arm comprising a first portion positioned proximate said first electrode,
- said second waveguide arm comprising a first portion positioned proximate said second electrode;
- said first electrode having a first length, said second electrode having a second length, said first length and said second length having a predetermined relationship, and.
- said predetermined relationship determines a nominal value of chirp for said modulator.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.