Chapter Adaptive High Linearity Intensity Modulator for Advanced Microwave Photonic Links

Abstract

This chapter, first, presents the motivation behind the need for adaptive, highly linear electro-optic modulators and an overview of the different optical linearization approaches of electro-optic modulators. Then, the figures of merits in terms of linearity performance are described and analyzed. Next, the chapter focuses on one excellent linearization approach called interferometric modulator with phase-modulating and cavity-modulating components (IMPACC). Here, we model IMPACC by simulating each of the key building blocks separately before putting them together as IMPACC modulator. This adaptive IMPACC design is compared to typical Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) based modulators, and ring-assisted Mach-Zenhder interferometer (RAMZI) modulators. Theoretical analysis and results show that the IMPACC provides both superior linearity performance and unique adaptive feature that can be used to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, thus, providing extra flexibility in terms of device manufacturability as well as system integration.