OPTICAL MODULATOR WITH ASYMMETRICALLY CONFIGURED CAPACITORS

摘要

A loaded optical modulator includes an optical waveguide configured as a Maxh-Zehnder interferometer having first and second interferometric arms, a drive signal electrode configrued to the modulation of optical signals in both interferometric arms, and a plurality of loading capacitors connected to the drive signal electrode. The loading capacitors are asymmetrically configured such that the amount of modulation in the first interferometric arm differs from the amount of modulation in the second interferometric arm. The asymmetric nature of the loading capacitors generates a nonzero chirp in the modulated optical signal. Various dual-drive techniques for a loaded-line optical modulator having a plurality of drive electrodes are also disclosed.