Highly linear silicon traveling wave Mach-Zehnder carrier depletion modulator based on differential drive

Opt Express. 2013 Feb 11;21(3):3818-25. doi: 10.1364/OE.21.003818.

Abstract

We present measurements of the nonlinear distortions of a traveling-wave silicon Mach-Zehnder modulator based on the carrier depletion effect. Spurious free dynamic range for second harmonic distortion of 82 dB·Hz(1/2) is seen, and 97 dB·Hz(2/3) is measured for intermodulation distortion. This measurement represents an improvement of 20 dB over the previous best result in silicon. We also show that the linearity of a silicon traveling wave Mach-Zehnder modulator can be improved by differentially driving it. These results suggest silicon may be a suitable platform for analog optical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Interferometry / instrumentation*
  • Linear Models
  • Refractometry / instrumentation*
  • Silicon / chemistry*
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / instrumentation*
  • Telecommunications / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Silicon