US5148503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for linearized cascade coupled integrated optical modulator
Assignee: Viavi Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1991-05-29
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Granted: 1992-09-15
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Expires: 2011-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A Y-branch type first interferometric modulator, and a coupler structure type second interferometric modulator are connected in cascade. The levels of DC bias voltages applied to the first and second interferometric modulators, respectively, are adjusted for maximizing the linearity of a modulated output light signal. The configuration of input and output coupler structures of the second interferometric modulator are predetermined for also contributing to maximizing the linearity of the output signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Halvor Skeie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:21
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/21; G02F1/225; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/313; G02F1/3136; G02F2203/00; G02F2203/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An integrated electro-optical modulator for providing a linearly modulated light signal, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of Mach-Zehnder type interferometric modulators formed on said substrate and coupled in cascade, each of said modulators including a plurality of electrode means for continuous connection to a source of reference potential, for receiving a modulating voltage, and for continuous connection to a DC bias voltage, respectively; a first one in a chain of said cascaded modulators further including an input waveguide segment for receiving an input light signal; and a last one of the chain of said cascaded modulators including an output waveguide segment providing an output light signal, whereby the levels of said DC bias voltages are predetermined for maximizing the linearity of a modulated output light signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An integrated electro-optical modulator for providing a linearly modulated light signal, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of Mach-Zehnder type interferometric modulators formed on said substrate and coupled in cascade, each of said modulators including a plurality of electrode means for continuous connection to a source of reference potential, for receiving a modulating voltage, and for continuous connection to a DC bias voltage, respectively; a first one in a chain of said cascaded modulators further including an input waveguide segment for receiving an input light signal; and a last one of the chain of said cascaded modulators including an output waveguide segment providing an output light signal, whereby the levels of said DC bias voltages are predetermined for maximizing the linearity of a modulated output light signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The integrated electro-optical modulator of claim 1, wherein said plurality of modulators include: a Y-branch type interferometric modulator serving as an input stage; and a coupler structure type interferometric modulator serving as an output stage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The integrated electro-optical modular of claim 2, wherein said coupler structure type interferometric modulator includes an input coupler and an output coupler for receiving and outputting light signals, respectively, whereby waveguide segments forming said input and output couplers are configured for maximizing the linearity of said modulated output light signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The integrated electro-optical modulator of claim 3, further including a means for adjusting the ratio of the amplitudes of said modulating voltages applied to said Y-branch interferometric modulator and said coupler structure interferometric modulator, for maximizing the linearity of said output signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The integrated electro-optical modulator of claim 1, further including a means for individually adjusting the amplitudes of said modulating voltages for maximizing the linearity of the modulated output signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The integrated electro-optical modulator of claim 1, wherein said plurality of modulators include: a Y-branch type interferometric modulator serving as an input stage; and a 2X1 coupler switch type interferometric modulator output stage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The integrated electro-optical modulator of claim 6, wherein said 2X1 modulator includes a coupler type input waveguide configured in a manner for maximizing the linearity of said modulated output light signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The integrated electro-optical modulator of claim 1, wherein said plurality of Mach-Zehnder type interferometric modulators includes a combination of cascaded Y-branch type and coupler structure type interferometric modulator stages.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The integrated electro-optical modulator of claim 1, wherein said plurality of Mach-Zehnder type interferometric modulators includes a combination of cascaded Y-branch and 2X1 switch type interferometric modulator stages.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The integrated electro-optical modulator of claim wherein said plurality of Mach-Zehnder type interferometric modulators includes a combination of cascaded coupler structure type, Y-branch type, and 2X1 switch type interferometric modulators.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an integrated electro-optical modulator for providing a linearly modulated light signal, a method for maximizing the linearity thereof comprising the steps of: forming a first Mach-Zehnder type interferometric modulator on a substrate as an input stage; forming a second Mach-Zehnder type interferometric modulator on said substrate as output stage coupled in cascade with said first modulator; applying first and second modulating voltages to said first and second modulators, respectively; continuously applying first and second DC bias voltages to said first and second modulators, respectively; and adjusting the levels of said first and second DC bias voltages, for maximizing the linearity of said integrated electro-optical modulator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an integrated electro-optical modulator for providing a linearly modulated light signal, a method for maximizing the linearity thereof comprising the steps of: forming a first Mach-Zehnder type interferometric modulator on a substrate as an input stage; forming a second Mach-Zehnder type interferometric modulator on said substrate as output stage coupled in cascade with said first modulator; applying first and second modulating voltages to said first and second modulators, respectively; continuously applying first and second DC bias voltages to said first and second modulators, respectively; and adjusting the levels of said first and second DC bias voltages, for maximizing the linearity of said integrated electro-optical modulator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11, further including the step of adjusting the ratio of the amplitudes of said first and second modulating voltages for maximizing the linearity of said integrated electro-optical modulator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12, further including the steps of: configuring said first interferometric modulator as Y-branch type; and configuring said second interferometric modulator as a coupler-structure type having input and output couplers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 12, further including the step of predetermining the configuration of said input and output couplers for maximizing the linearity of said integrated electro-optical modulator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 14, further including the step of adjusting the ratio of the amplitudes of said first and second modulating voltages for maximizing the linearity of said integrated electro-optical modulator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12, further including the steps of: configuring said first interferometric modulator as a Y-branch type; and configuring said second interferometric modulator as 2X1 switch type having an input coupler.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16, further including predetermining the configuration of said input coupler for maximizing the linearity of said integrated electro-optical modulator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 17, further including the step of adjusting the ratio of the amplitudes of said first and second modulating voltages for maximizing the amplitude of said integrated electro-optical modulator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 12, further including the steps of: configuring said first interferometric modulator as a coupler-structure type; and configuring said second interferometric modulator as Y-branch type.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12, further including the steps of: configuring said first interferometric modulator as a 2X1 switch type; and configuring said second interferometric modulator as Y-branch type.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
70 words
An integrated optical modulator for providing a linearly modulated light signal, comprising: a cascade of optical modulators formed on a substrate, each modulator having a plurality of electrode means for receiving a modulating voltage, and for continuously receiving a bias voltage, respectively; and means for continuously supplying bias voltage to said electrode means for linearizing a light output from the cascaded optical modulator as a function of said modulating voltage.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
70 words
An integrated optical modulator for providing a linearly modulated light signal, comprising: a cascade of optical modulators formed on a substrate, each modulator having a plurality of electrode means for receiving a modulating voltage, and for continuously receiving a bias voltage, respectively; and means for continuously supplying bias voltage to said electrode means for linearizing a light output from the cascaded optical modulator as a function of said modulating voltage.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The integrated optic modulator of claim 21, further comprising a coupling means for linearizing the light output of the modulator as a function of modulating voltage.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The integrated optic modulator of claim 21, further comprising a means for adjusting the modulating voltages to linearize the light output of the modulator as a function of modulating voltage.
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