Electro-optic modulator
AssigneeBookham Technology PLC
InventorEduardo Tinoco
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modulator circuit (28) for directing a voltage across a modulator element (26) to modulate a beam (20) includes a first inductor L1 that is electrically connected in parallel to the modulator element (26) and a second inductor L2 that is electrically connected in parallel to the first inductor L1 and the modulator element (26). A resonant frequency of the modulator circuit (28) is controllable over a range of between approximately 200 and 380 MHz. Additionally, the modulator circuit (28) can include a third inductor L3 that is electrically connected in parallel to the inductors L1, L2, and the modulator element (26). Further, the modulator circuit (28) can include an added capacitor (546) that is electrically connected in parallel to the inductors L1, L2, and the modulator element (26).
Claims19
An optical beam modulator that uses a voltage source to modulate an optical beam, the optical beam modulator comprising:
- a modulator element adapted to be positioned in the path of the optical beam;
- and
- a resonant tank modulator circuit for directing a voltage to the modulator element to modulate the optical beam, the modulator circuit comprising a first inductor and a second inductor that are electrically connected to the voltage source, the first inductor being electrically connected in parallel to the modulator element;
- and the second
- inductor is electrically connected in parallel to the first inductor and the modulator element.
An optical beam modulator for modulating a beam, the optical beam modulator comprising:
- a modulator element positioned in the path of the optical beam;
- and
- a resonant tank modulator circuit that directs voltage to the modulator element, the modulator circuit having a resonant frequency of at least approximately 300 MHz.
A method for modulating an optical beam, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a modulator element in the path of the optical beam;
- and
- electrically connecting a resonant tank circuit to the modulator element, the circuit having a first inductor and a second inductor connected in parallel to each other and the modulator element.
A method for modulating a beam, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a modulator element in the oath of the beam;
- electrically connecting a resonant tank circuit to the modulator element, the circuit having a first inductor and a second inductor connected in parallel to each other and the modulator element;
- and
- adjusting a resonant frequency of the resonant tank circuit to be at least approximately 300 MHz.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.