Novel, High Speed, Linear Modulators with Domain Inverted Sections

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.