Apparatus and method for externally modulating an optical carrier.

摘要

An external electrooptic modulator is provided offering high linearity and low intermodulation distortion. A Mach Zehnder modulator is followed by a directional coupler. The Mach Zehnder modulator is modulated with a first pair of electrodes at a first polarity. The modulating signal is scaled by a factor eta and applied to a separate pair of electrodes for the directional coupler at a second polarity opposite to the first polarity. Separate DC bias electrodes can be provided in the Mach Zehnder modulator. The modulator is particularly appropriate for use in optical transmission systems for cable television applications. <IMAGE>