O/C Band 145 GHz Mach-Zehnder Modulator
MZM-C145
Go beyond known limits and achieve new milestones by adopting the fastest commercial electro-optic modulator (EOM, EO modulator) in the world. Specified at 145 GHz EO bandwidth, but proven to work above 500 GHz, this chip has many applications.
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
-
Available as single or 4-channel device
Description
The plasmonic Mach-Zehnder Modulator (MZM) features two carefully engineered arms that balance each other to enhance or subtarct 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
-
L. Kulmer, Single Carrier net 400 Gbit/s IM/DD over 400 m Fiber enabled by Plasmonic Mach-Zehnder Modulator (OFC 2024)
-
Y. Horst, et al, Transparent optical-THz-optical Link transmission over 5/115 m at 240/190 Gbit/s enabled by plasmonics (IEEE, 2021)
-
M. Burla, et al, 500 GHz plasmonic Mach-Zehnder modulator enabling sub-THz microwave photonics (APL Photonics, 2019)
Variant Selector
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 |
Performance Data
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 |
Vп, 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 | 3 dBm | 3 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°C | ~25°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 20°C with a Vπ 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 |