Abstract: A co-planar waveguide interferometric electro-optic modulator is disclosed. A Z-cut lithium niobate electro-optic substrate includes a first and second waveguide that are formed in the lithium niobate electro-optic substrate. An elongate RF electrode at least partially covers one of the waveguides. A slotted electrode is disclosed formed by two elongate substantially-parallel electrodes one of which is at least partially covers the other of the waveguides. At least one electrode is substantially greater, preferably at least twice the width of the elongate RF electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to suppression of high frequency resonance in an electro-optical device. The electro-optical device includes an optical waveguide formed in a substrate and a plurality of electrically floating electrode segments that are positioned on the substrate to intensify an electric field in the optical waveguide. The device also includes a RF ground electrode that is positioned on the substrate. The RF ground electrode defines a slot having a shape that suppresses modal conversion and propagation of high order modes in the RF ground electrode and in the plurality of electrically floating electrode segments, thereby suppressing modal coupling to the substrate. The device further includes a buffer layer formed on the upper surface of the substrate, on the plurality of electrically floating electrode segments, and in the slot. A driving electrode receives a RF signal that induces-the electric field in the optical waveguide.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for suppressing high frequency resonance in an electro-optical device. The electro-optical device includes an optical waveguide formed in the upper surface of a substrate. The device further includes a plurality of electrically floating electrode segments that are positioned on the substrate to intensify an electric field in the optical waveguide. The device also includes a plurality of electrically grounded electrode segments that are positioned on the substrate for prohibiting modal conversion and propagation of high order modes in the plurality of electrically grounded electrode segments and in the plurality of electrically floating electrode segments, thereby suppressing modal coupling to the substrate. The device further includes a buffer layer formed on the upper surface of the substrate and a driving electrode formed on an upper surface of the buffer layer for receiving an RF signal that induces the electric field in the optical waveguide.

Abstract: An integrated optical transmitter for use in an optical system has an optical head assembly with an optical beam generator for providing an optical beam and a lens assembly collecting the optical beam and generating therefrom a formed optical beam. Interface optics receives the formed optical beam and provides optical coupling so as to minimize insertion loss to the optical beam. Also included is an optical modulator for receiving the optical beam from the interface optics and for providing a modulated optical beam in response to received modulation signals. The optical modulator is coupled to the interface optics to be in a fixed relationship therewith.

Abstract: An integrated optical transmitter for use in an optical system includes an optical head assembly having an optical beam generator for providing an optical beam and a lens assembly for collecting the optical beam and generating therefrom a formed optical beam. Interface optics receive the formed optical beam for coupling the beam to a modulator so as to reduce nsertion loss to the optical beam. The optical modulator receives the optical beam from the interface optics and provides a modulated optical beam in response to received modulation signals. The optical modulator is coupled to the interface optics to be in a fixed relationship therewith. The integrated optical transmitter can include a means for sampling the optical beam and controlling the temperature of and/or the current supplied to the optical beam generator for controlling the wavelength of the optical transmitter.

Abstract: An electro-optic device such as a Mach-Zehnder interferometer that includes a lithium niobate substrate having an optical waveguide that is formed in an upper surface of the substrate is described. The device includes a polymer buffer layer formed on the upper surface of the substrate. The polymer may be non-conductive or conductive. An electrode is formed on an upper surface of the buffer layer and is positioned to receive an RF signal that induces an electrical field in the optical waveguide. A conductive charge bleed-off layer may be formed between the buffer layer and the electrode in order to bleed-off pyroelectric charge. A semiconductor charge bleed-off layer may be formed between the substrate and the buffer layer.

Abstract: A differential input optical modulator, suited for an electrical driver with complementary outputs is provided by the present invention. One embodiment uses a X-cut LiNbO3 substrate, with or without a buffer layer, to reduce cost of manufacture in comparison to some known devices that employ a Z-cut LiNbO˜ substrate. These prior art devices require both buffer and charge bleed-off layers. The present invention also includes a quasi-symmetric electrode structure in which the applied fields run parallel to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A variable chirp electro-optic modulator is provided that uses a single modulation signal. The modulator has several optical paths in the proximity of one or more modulation electrodes which are driven equally by a single modulation source. The amount of chirp desired of the modulator is controlled by varying the optical amplitude or phase of the light in the different paths.