METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STABLE CONTROL OF ELECTROOPTIC DEVICES

摘要

Method and apparatus are disclosed for the stable control of electrooptic devices, such as for providing a stable bias point for operation of a lithium niobate interferometer-type modulator. The bias point of the modulator is thermally controlled by providing a selected difference in the temperatures of optical waveguide lengths of the interferometer. Heaters can be disposed with the lithium niobate substrate for transferring thermal energy with the optical waveguide lengths. A thermally conductive element can be disposed adjacent the optical waveguide lengths to act as "heat spreaders" to facilitate providing the selected difference in temperature. The invention also includes phase shifters, attenuators, and other optical devices formed from single and multiple optical waveguide lengths propagating separate optical beams.