SBIR-STTR Award

Advanced Photonics Technology (APT) proposes to develop novel, wide-band, highly linear integrated-optical modulators based on low-loss waveguides in ferroelectric (e.g., lithium niobate and lithium tantalate) crystals with domain-inverted sections. The application of domain inversion to electro-optical modulators introduces a novel approach that allows the development of devices with low levels of nonlinear distortions and large efficiencies at reasonably high microwave modulation frequencies. For commercial viability, it is quintessential that high device performance be achieved with simplified modulator schemes, leading to higher stability and reproducibility of the devices. The proposed Phase I program will demonstrate the advantages of using domain inversion as compared to other techniques presently being used and will lay the technical foundation for the design and fabrication of linearized, broad-band directional coupler and interferometric modulators.

The proposed Phase II effort is a logical extension of the Phase I work which has established the theoretical and technical foundation for the realization of linearized modulators. As a result of the Phase I effort, all of the building blocks essential for the fabrication and modeling of these novel devices presented in Phase II are readily available. Aimed at developing the modulators for a broad spectrum of CATV and microwave applications, the Phase II would concentrate on evaluating the high-speed performance of linearized modulators. The effort is aimed at the fabrication of practically viable prototypes, as well as the assessment and development of techniques for further improvement of their high-frequency performance. The main goal is the achievement of a very high-speed modulator, while still maintaining high linearity. Trade-offs between the upper modulation frequency and the level of nonlinear distortions will be investigated and modulators with optimum device performance will be emphasized.

Keywords:
HIGH-SPEED, LINEAR ELECTROOPTIC MODULATORS; DOMAIN INVERSION