A high-speed GaAs-based electro-optic modulator for polarization, intensity, and phase modulation

Hiroshi Kato; Jeffrey D. Bull; Benjamin P. C. Tsou; Nicolas A. F. Jaeger

doi:10.1117/12.2024475

1 October 2013 A high-speed GaAs-based electro-optic modulator for polarization, intensity, and phase modulation

Hiroshi Kato, Jeffrey D. Bull, Benjamin P. C. Tsou, Nicolas A. F. Jaeger

Proceedings Volume 8832, The Nature of Light: What are Photons? V; 883205 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2024475
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We review the development of a unique, electro-optic, polarization modulator fabricated on epitaxial layers of aluminum gallium arsenide, grown on a gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate. The device has a single waveguide structure combined with travelling-wave, slow-wave electrodes. This design allows for high-speed modulation of the polarization state of light with low differential group delay and low optical loss at frequencies in excess of 50 GHz. The devices are TE↔TM mode convertors that modulate the state of light from one linear polarization state to an orthogonal linear state passing through elliptical and circular polarization states. These devices can also be configured to modulate the phase or intensity of an optical signal by appropriate alignment of the polarization axis of the input light or by placing a polarizer at the output. Key characteristics and important performance advantages of such devices are discussed. Applications that use these devices for enhancing digital and analog communication links, analog-to-digital signal conversion, and sending keys for encryption are reviewed to illustrate the diverse nature of the systems being developed and provide an overview of the versatility of the ways in which the GaAs polarization modulator may be used.

Citation Download Citation

Hiroshi Kato, Jeffrey D. Bull, Benjamin P. C. Tsou, and Nicolas A. F. Jaeger "A high-speed GaAs-based electro-optic modulator for polarization, intensity, and phase modulation", Proc. SPIE 8832, The Nature of Light: What are Photons? V, 883205 (1 October 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2024475

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
7 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Polarization

Modulators

Modulation

Waveguides

Gallium arsenide

Electrooptic modulators

Electro optics

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years