Abstract

High-sensitivity bandpass modulators are of interest for analog optical systems.¹ Analysis² shows that impedance-matched lumped-element modulators can have significantly higher response than traveling-wave devices for a range of electrode lengths dependent on the modulation frequency. We have demonstrated an impedance-matched LiNbO₃ lumped-element interferometric modulator for operation at 1.3 μm. With an electrode length of 5 mm, the effective Vπ at 1.3 GHz is 2.6 V compared with an estimated effective Vπ of 9.8 V for a traveling-wave device with the same electrode length.

© 1990 Optical Society of America