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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

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    3-dB electro-optic bandwidth >145 GHz

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    Lumped, low-capacitance RF design

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    Chip dimensions 1.5 mm x 2 mm

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    O/C band operation

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    Balanced (bMZM) or imbalanced (iMZM) geometry

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    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

Variant Selector

EO bandwidthOptical bandMZ variantOrdering code
145 GHzO bandbalancedMZM-C145-ob
145 GHzO bandimbalancedMZM-C145-oi
145 GHzC bandbalancedMZM-C145-cb
145 GHzC bandimbalancedMZM-C145-ci

Performance Data

O band
bMZM
O band
iMZM
C band
bMZM
C band
iMZM
Peak wavelength1310 nm~1310 nm1550 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 PolaritonContact Polariton3 dBm3 dBm
RF input power @ 50 Ohm18 dBm18 dBm18 dBm18 dBm
DC voltage at RF input0 V0 V0 V0 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

bMZMiMZM
Optical input and outputGrating coupler (GC), 127 um pitch Grating coupler (GC), 127 um pitch
Center wavelength at GC angle1310/1550 nm at 8°1310/1550 nm at 8°
Optical source neededPeak WL laser sourceTunable laser source, peak ±10 nm range
Electrical RF interfaceG-S-G, 65 – 200 μm pitchG-S-G, 50 – 110 μm pitch
Electrical DC interface+/-, 30 – 210 μm pitch+/-, 30 – 170 μm pitch