Effect of intrinsic phase mismatch on linear modulator performance of the 1×2 directional coupler and Mach-Zehnder interferometer

Author

Howerton, Matra McWright ; Bulmer, Catherine H. ; Burns, William K.

Author_Institution

Sachs Freeman Associates, Landover, MD, USA

Volume

8

Issue

8

fYear

1990

fDate

8/1/1990 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1177

Lastpage

1186

Abstract

The performance of 1×2 directional couplers and Mach-Zehnder interferometers as linear modulators is compared. Models describing the operation of each device, incorporating the intrinsic phase mismatch Δβ₀ which is present in nonideal devices, are developed. Distributions of Δβ₀ are obtained for each device and are shown to be independent of device type. Linear dynamic range and sensitivity measurements showing how Δβ₀ affects performance agree with theory. The additional effect of the coupling coefficient in the 1×2 directional coupler is demonstrated. This information can be used to predict device yield when combined with the measured Δβ₀ distributions

Keywords

directional couplers; light interferometers; optical couplers; optical modulation; 1×2 directional coupler; Mach-Zehnder interferometer; coupling coefficient; device yield; intrinsic phase mismatch; linear dynamic range; linear modulator; nonideal devices; sensitivity measurements; Arm; Directional couplers; Dynamic range; Electrodes; Optical interferometry; Optical refraction; Optical sensors; Optical waveguides; Phase modulation; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.57838

Filename

57838