Reflective duplexer based on silicon micromechanics for fiber-optic communication

Author

Marxer, Cornel ; Grétillat, Marc-Alexis ; De Rooij, Nicolaas F. ; Bättig, Rainer ; Anthamatten, Olivier ; Valk, Bernd ; Vogel, Paul

Author_Institution

Inst. of Microtechnol., Neuchatel Univ., Switzerland

Volume

17

Issue

1

fYear

1999

fDate

1/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

115

Lastpage

122

Abstract

In this paper, we report on a passive duplexer based on reflective modulation for single-mode fibers. The component integrates a silicon micromechanical modulator and a photoreceiver in a hybrid assembly. Fabricated by the silicon micromachining technology reflective modulators allow a considerable cost reduction of single mode fiber-optic links as compared to systems operating with active light sources at both link terminals. The micromechanical modulator is characterized by a low insertion loss of less than 3 dB and polarization insensitivity. The ON-OFF ratio is typically 9 dB over a wavelength range from 1260 to 1360 nm. The operation frequency is limited by the mechanical movement of the modulator membrane to 1.3-2 MHz. We report on the characterization of fully packaged duplexer components

Keywords

electro-optical modulation; micro-optics; micromechanical devices; optical fibre losses; optical receivers; packaging; reflectivity; silicon; 1260 to 1360 nm; ON-OFF ratio; active light sources; cost reduction; fiber-optic communication; fully packaged duplexer components; hybrid assembly; link terminals; low insertion loss; mechanical movement; micromachining technology reflective modulators; micromechanical modulator; modulator membrane; operation frequency; passive duplexer; photoreceiver; polarization insensitivity; reflective duplexer; reflective modulation; silicon micromechanical modulator; silicon micromechanics; single mode fiber-optic links; single-mode fibers; wavelength range; Assembly; Costs; Frequency; Insertion loss; Light sources; Micromachining; Micromechanical devices; Optical fiber polarization; Optical modulation; Silicon;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.737430

Filename

737430