O/C Band 145 GHz Mach-Zehnder Modulator

MZM-C145

These modulators deliver unprecedented bandwidth making them an undisputed option to implement high-performance transceivers. Together with an optimized driver they provide substantial contribution to reduce system power dissipation and enhancing signal integrity. Its compact, efficient design enables seamless integration and scalability.

Key Features

3-dB electro-optic bandwidth >145 GHz
Lumped, low-capacitance RF design
Chip dimensions 1.5 mm x 2 mm
O/C band operation
Balanced (bMZM) or imbalanced (iMZM) geometry variants
Available as single or 4-channel device (MZ4-C145)

Description

The plasmonic Mach-Zehnder Modulator (MZM) features two carefully engineered arms that balance each other to enhance or subtract each other to achieve best extinction ratio for applications in measurement instruments, radio-over-fiber (RoF), high-data-rate optical transmission or microwave photonics setups (MWP). Polariton offers the product in balanced and imbalanced, optical O and C band variants.

The optical spectrum of the balanced MZM has a gaussian shape around the central coupling wavelength of its grating couplers. This allows operation in a 3-dB optical bandwidth of around 60 nm. To set the operating point, the balanced MZM contains thermo-optic phase-shifter, which shifts the whole spectrum in the y-axis.

The imbalanced MZM has a resonant spectrum with peaks and extinctions. This allows for a change of the operating point by tuning the wavelength of the laser source, making an additional voltage unnecessary.

Delivered as a chip or semi-packaged chip, this product can be tailored to your needs.

Related Papers

Variants & Specifications

Product specification

Polariton offers this device in various variants, being single, quad and octo channel, ideal for a wide range of optical interconnect solutions.

EO bandwidth	Optical band	MZ variant	Ordering code
145 GHz	O band	balanced	MZM-C145-ob
145 GHz	O band	imbalanced	MZM-C145-oi
145 GHz	C band	balanced	MZM-C145-cb
145 GHz	C band	imbalanced	MZM-C145-ci

(1) A probable 4-channel version with GSG probes for GS operation is available on demand.

Performance Specifications

	O band bMZM	O band iMZM	C band bMZM	C band iMZM
Peak wavelength	1310 nm	~1310 nm	1550 nm	~1550 nm
Insertion loss (IL)	<17 dB	<17 dB	<16 dB	<16 dB
Static extinction ratio (ER)	>25 dB	>20 dB	>25 dB	>20 dB
DC bias on/off voltage	<1.5 V	<1.5 V	<1.5 V	<1.5 V
3-dB EO bandwidth	>145 GHz	>145 GHz	>145 GHz	>145 GHz
V_{п, eq} @ 100 kHz, @ 50 Ohm*	<4 V	<4 V	<5 V	<5 V

Maximum Ratings

	O band bMZM	O band iMZM	C band bMZM	C band iMZM
Optical input power**	Contact Polariton	Contact Polariton	9 dBm	9 dBm
RF input power @ 50 Ohm	18 dBm	18 dBm	18 dBm	18 dBm
DC voltage at RF input	0 V	0 V	0 V	0 V
DC bias voltage DC bias current	2.5V 15 mA	2.5V 15 mA	2.5V 15 mA	2.5V 15 mA
Operating / storage temperature	~25°C	~25°C	~25-50 °C	~25-50 °C

* Plasmonic modulators are high-impedance devices. Twice the voltage provided by a 50-Ohm signal source will drop across the plasmonic modulator. Using a DC source or a high-impedance-matched driver, double the voltage is required to switch the modulator from the on to the off state.

** Operation time of 8000 h at 85°C with a V_π degradation <10%.

Mechanical and Optical Specifications

	bMZM	iMZM
Optical input and output	Grating coupler (GC), 127 um pitch	Grating coupler (GC), 127 um pitch
Center wavelength at GC angle	1310/1550 nm at 8°	1310/1550 nm at 8°
Optical source needed	Peak WL laser source	Tunable laser source, peak ±10 nm range
Electrical RF interface	G-S-G, 65 – 200 μm pitch	G-S-G, 50 – 110 μm pitch
Electrical DC interface	+/-, 30 – 210 μm pitch	+/-, 30 – 170 μm pitch