Abstract: A co-planar waveguide interferometric electro-optic modulator that reduces the bias point sensitivity of the modulator to ambient temperature and to applied RF is described. The modulator includes a first and second waveguide that are formed in an electro-optic substrate. A RF electrode is positioned on the electro-optic substrate between the first and the second waveguide. A ground electrode that may include a slot is positioned proximate to the second waveguide. A guard ground electrode is positioned proximate to the first waveguide to sink heat from the RF electrode and may also balance the thermal stress in the two waveguides. A dielectric material may also be positioned proximate to the first waveguide to balance the thermal stress in the two waveguides.

Abstract: An optical pulse generator having a high order transfer function that comprises a first and a second nested interferometric modulator, each modulator comprising an optical input, an electrical input, a first arm, a second arm and an optical output. The second interferometric modulator is optically coupled into the second arm of the first interferometric modulator. The optical output of the first interferometric modulator generates pulses at a repetition rate that is proportional to a multiple of a frequency of an electrical signal applied to the electrical input of at least one of the first and second interferometric modulator and at a duty cycle that is inversely proportional to the order of the transfer function of the optical pulse generator. The multiple may be any integer equal to or greater than one.