Abstract

We report on a single mode rib waveguide (RWG) polarization modulator (POLAM) with a mode power modulation depth ≈ 0.99, an extinction ratio ≥ 27dB, a halfwave voltage V_π≲ 12.5V at the test wavelength λ = 1.064μm, and a projected insertion loss∠ 1.5dB. The POLAM consists of a RWG formed on Al_yGa_1-yAs (y= 0.15) single heterostructure waveguide with Al_xGa_1-xAs (x=0.2) cladding grown on (110) oriented GaAs substrates. The electrodes are separated by about 1.2mm, as discussed below, and consist of a highly conductive low optical loss CdO layer with a gold overlay. Capacitance values of ≈ 0.5pF are estimated per RWG electrode for a two electrode section switch.

© 1982 Optical Society of America