Abstract

The modulation of optical signals at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies is of much interest for fiber-optic communications and optical signal processing. The electrooptic effect, which induces an electric-field dependent change in refractive index, is known to operate at frequencies well in excess of 100 GHz. This change in refractive index can induce phase shifts in optical signals, and in appropriate configurations can also modulate intensity, frequency or polarization state of optical signals. However, the overlap of the microwave signal and the optical energy required for efficient electrooptic interaction is hard to achieve.

© 1989 Optical Society of America