Title :
Low-loss 1.3-μm MQW electroabsorption modulators for high-linearity analog optical links
Author :
Loi, K.K. ; Hodiak, J.H. ; Mei, X.B. ; Tu, C.W. ; Chang, W.S.C. ; Nichols, D.T. ; Lembo, L.J. ; Brock, J.C.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., California Univ., San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
Abstract :
Low-loss InAsP-GaInP multiquantum-well electroabsorption waveguide modulators have been developed for transmitting microwaves as subcarriers over optical fibers. The fiber-to-fiber insertion loss is only 5 dB at 1.32-μm wavelength. The electrooptic slope efficiency of an 185-μm-long 11-GHz bandwidth device is equivalent to a Mach-Zehnder modulator with a V/sub /spl pi// of 2.2 V. The linearity performance was characterized for a test link without any form of amplification. A RF-to-RF link efficiency of -25.5 dB, noise figure of 27 dB and suboctave spurious-free dynamic range of 114 dB.Hz45/ have been achieved with 16 mW input optical carrier power. The measured 3-dB electrical bandwidth exceeds 20 GHz for a 90-μm-long device.
Keywords :
electro-optical modulation; electroabsorption; gallium compounds; indium compounds; infrared sources; optical communication equipment; optical losses; semiconductor quantum wells; 1.3 mum; 185 mum; 2.2 V; 20 GHz; 5 dB; 90 mum; InAsP-GaInP; InAsP-GaInP multiquantum-well electroabsorption waveguide modulators; Mach-Zehnder modulator; RF-to-RF link efficiency; electrical bandwidth; electrooptic slope efficiency; fiber-to-fiber insertion loss; high-linearity analog optical links; linearity performance; low-loss 1.3-/spl mu/m MQW electroabsorption modulators; optical fibers; subcarriers; suboctave spurious-free dynamic range; test link; Bandwidth; Electrooptic devices; Insertion loss; Microwave devices; Optical fiber devices; Optical fiber losses; Optical fiber testing; Optical fibers; Optical waveguides; Quantum well devices;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
