Method of tuning wavelength tunable electro-absorption modulators

A method of tuning a wavelength tunable electroabsorption modulator (EAM), comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a reference average output power for light that is modulated by the wavelength tunable EAM, the light having an input power and a reference peak wavelength, and the reference average output power based on operation of the wavelength tunable EAM using a reference bias voltage, a reference temperature, and a reference modulation signal having a predetermined duty cycle;
• b) optically coupling an input light beam into the wavelength tunable EAM, the input light beam having approximately the input power and an operational peak wavelength;
• c) modulating light within the wavelength tunable EAM using a modulation signal having the predetermined duty cycle;
• d) measuring an average output power of a modulated light beam emitted from the wavelength tunable EAM;
• e) comparing the average output power determined in step (d) to the reference average output power;
• and
• f) adjusting at least one of a bias voltage and a temperature of the wavelength tunable EAM to reduce differences between the average output power and the reference average output power, thereby tuning the wavelength tunable EAM.

A method of tuning a wavelength tunable electroabsorption modulator (EAM), comprising the steps of:

• a) optically coupling an input light beam into the wavelength tunable EAM, the input light beam having an operational peak wavelength;
• b) modulating light within the wavelength tunable EAM using a modulation signal having a 50% duty cycle;
• c) measuring a modulated light beam emitted from the wavelength tunable EAM to generate an eye diagram for the modulated light beam;
• d) determining an optical eye crossing point for the modulated light beam from the eye diagram generated in step (d);
• and
• e) adjusting at least one of a bias voltage and a temperature of the wavelength tunable EAM such that the optical eye crossing point equals approximately 50%, thereby tuning the wavelength tunable EAM.