High Performance Electro-optic Modulator Designed for Military Aircraft

Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) electro-optic (EO) modulators offer performance unmatched by legacy systems for airborne receivers, bringing weight savings, bandwidth increase, EMI protection and increased dynamic range. However, this new technology requires development to handle the harsh naval aviation environment of a wingtip-mounted antenna while achieving high bandwidth, low optical loss, high optical power handling, low drive voltage, and resistance to thermal and microwave shock. EOSPACE is proposing to develop a TFLN modulator that can meet or exceed these solicitation requirements. One key area to address is EMI (high power microwave) resilience. The proposed approach uses a novel microwave electrode structure that addresses the challenge of avoiding dielectric breakdown at ultra high field strength. EOSPACE will leverage our previous experience working on EMI-resistant high-voltage-handling bulk LN modulators. As noted in the solicitation, rapid temperature changes cause another problem, that of bias point stability for the modulator. Instead of using a conventional direct detection RF photonic link, EOSPACE proposes to use an alternate approach that is bias-free, eliminating concerns about bias point stability under rapid temperature change. The link is demodulated with a low frequency photonic device at the photodetector side (presumably in a shielded avionics bay) using work demonstrated on a previous SBIR. Further details are presented in the proposal. In addition to the EO modulator, EOSPACE and Aerospace will develop a modulator bias controller using our proprietary technology for eliminating dither spurs and make it capable of handling the environmental requirements. EOSPACE has decades of experience delivering EO modulators built to challenging performance requirements for a wide range of defense and aerospace customers and agencies. In this STTR, EOSPACE will partner with EOSPACE will focus on the modulator and bias controller design, production, and packaging. Aerospace corporation, an FFRDC, will assist with calculations, research, and reliability/environmental testing using their world-class facilities and expertise.