27-10-2012, 11:40 AM
Wideband Electroabsorption Modulator for Microwave Photonics
ABSTRACT
The technical objective/approach of this effort was to design and test a novel material and electrode structure of traveling
wave electroabsorption modulators (TWEAMs) for use in microwave transmission systems exceeding frequencies of 50 GHz.
Potential monolithic integration of these modulators with low noise lasers is promising for insertion into future space-based
and air borne platforms in which physical size is a primary concern. This report details the University of California at San
Diego (UCSD) efforts in a collaborative research program with AFRL at Rome Research Site who evaluated the TWEAMS
in fiber links. Significant progress has been made in the design and understanding of the electroabsorption modulator for
analog fiber links. The present designs, including Intrastep- barrier Quantum Well (IQW) and Peripheral Coupled Waveguide
(PCW), represent major advances in the transmitter development involving semiconductor external modulators. While low RF
frequency modulators useful for analog links has been demonstrated, a follow-on program will be initiated to realize
experimentally the analog performance of both regular traveling wave electrode and segmented-electrode traveling wave
electroabsorption modulator in external modulated RF fiber-optic links.
ABSTRACT
The technical objective/approach of this effort was to design and test a novel material and electrode structure of traveling
wave electroabsorption modulators (TWEAMs) for use in microwave transmission systems exceeding frequencies of 50 GHz.
Potential monolithic integration of these modulators with low noise lasers is promising for insertion into future space-based
and air borne platforms in which physical size is a primary concern. This report details the University of California at San
Diego (UCSD) efforts in a collaborative research program with AFRL at Rome Research Site who evaluated the TWEAMS
in fiber links. Significant progress has been made in the design and understanding of the electroabsorption modulator for
analog fiber links. The present designs, including Intrastep- barrier Quantum Well (IQW) and Peripheral Coupled Waveguide
(PCW), represent major advances in the transmitter development involving semiconductor external modulators. While low RF
frequency modulators useful for analog links has been demonstrated, a follow-on program will be initiated to realize
experimentally the analog performance of both regular traveling wave electrode and segmented-electrode traveling wave
electroabsorption modulator in external modulated RF fiber-optic links.