Optical

Modulators
Prof.A.Jabeena
Optical Modulators
 Lasers
and LEDs used in
telecommunication applications are
modulated using one of two methods:
 Direct modulation
 Indirect/External modulation.
Direct Modulation
 The output power of the device varies directly with
the input drive current.
 Both LEDs and lasers can be directly modulated
using analog and digital signals.
Direct Modulation
Benefits
 Simple and cheap.
 Cost effective
 Compact

Disadvantage
 Slower than indirect modulation.
 External Modulation
 An external device is used to modulate the intensity or
phase of the light source.
 The light source remains on while the external modulator
acts like a “shutter” controlled by the information being
transmitted.
 External modulation is typically used in high-speed
applications such as long-haul telecommunication or cable
TV head ends.
External Modulation
Benefits
 Much faster and can be used with higher-power
laser sources.
 Low Modulation distortion.
Disadvantage
 More expensive
 Requires complex circuitry to handle the high
frequency RF modulation signal.
Types of Optical Modulators
 External Modulation
 Typically accomplished using an integrated optical
modulator that incorporates a waveguide Mach-Zehnder
interferometer fabricated on a slab of lithium niobate
(LiNbO3).
 The waveguide is created using a lithographic process similar
to that used in the manufacturing of semiconductors.
 The waveguide region is slightly doped with impurities to
increase the index of refraction so that the light is guided
through the device.

External modulation using Mach-Zehnder waveguide interferometer

External Modulation
 Light entering the modulator is split into two paths.
 One path is unchanged or unmodulated.
 The other path has electrodes placed across it.
 Because LiNbO3 is an electro-optic material, when a voltage
is placed across the waveguide its index of refraction is
changed, causing a phase delay proportional to the
amplitude of the applied voltage.
 When the light is then recombined, the two waves interfere
with one another.
 If the two waves are in phase, the interference is constructive
and the output is on.
 If the two waves are out of phase, the interference is
destructive and the waves cancel each other.
External Modulation

 The input voltage associated with a 180° phase shift is known

as Vπ . The induced phase shift can be calculated using:

 where Vin is the voltage applied to the modulator Lithium

niobate modulators are well developed and used extensively
in both CATV and telecommunication applications.
 Devices are available at both the 1310-nm and 1550-nm
wavelengths.
External Modulation
Electroabsorption (EA)
Modulator
 EA modulator is a semiconductor device
which can be used for controlling the intensity
of a laser beam via an electric voltage.

 Principle of operation is based on Franz-

Keldysh effect i.e. a change in the absorption
spectrum caused by an applied electric field,
which changes the band gap energy.
Schematics of an EA
modulator
 Electro Optic Modulator
 An electro-optic modulator is a device which can be
used for controlling the power, phase or polarization of
a laser beam with an electrical control signal.

Electro-optic effect
 Electro-optic effect is the modification of refractive index of a
nonlinear crystal by an external voltage.
POCKELS EFFECT AND KERR EFFECT

 The Pockels effect is the linear electro-optic effect,

where the refractive index of a medium is modified in
proportion to the applied electric field strength.

 The Kerr Effect or quadratic electro-optic effect is a

change in refractive index of the material with an
electric field.
Pockels Cells
 A Pockels cell is a device consisting of an
electro-optic crystal through which a light
beam can propagate. The phase delay in the
crystal can be modulated by applying a
variable electric voltage.

 Half-wave voltage (Vπ) is very important

parameter for Pockels cells, half-wave voltage
is the voltage value for requiring π phase shift.
Longitudinal devices

Transverse devices
Electro-optic Modulator (EOM)
• Types of EOMs
1. Phase Modulation
2. Amplitude Modulation
3. Polarization Modulation
Electro-optic Modulator (EOM)
1. Phase Modulation
Electro-optic Modulator (EOM)
2. Amplitude Modulation
• Using Mach–Zehnder Interferometer
Electro-optic Modulator (EOM)
3. Polarization Modulation
Depending on the type and orientation of the nonlinear
crystal, and on the direction of the applied electric field,
the phase delay can depend on the polarization
direction.
Usage Area of Electro-Optic Modulators

 Modulating a laser beam ; e.g. laser printing, high-

speed digital data recording, high-speed optical
communication
 In laser frequency stabilization schemes
 Q switching of solid-state lasers
 Active-mode locking
 Switching pulses in pulse pickers
 Module 7: Optoelectronic Modulators

Basic principle, Birefringence, Optical Activity, Electro –Optic

modulators, Acousto-Optic modulators, Magneto-Optic
modulators

Reference :
Safa O. kasap, “Optoelectronics and Photonics-Principles
and Practices”, Peasrson India 2009