Low drive voltage modulators with ultra low loss serpentine electrodes for electric field sensing with optical fibers

James H. Cole; Marta M. Howerton; Robert P. Moeller; John Niemel; L. Cundin; C. Sunderman

doi:10.1117/12.623602

23 May 2005 Low drive voltage modulators with ultra low loss serpentine electrodes for electric field sensing with optical fibers

James H. Cole, Marta M. Howerton, Robert P. Moeller, John Niemel, L. Cundin, C. Sunderman

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5855, 17th International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.623602
Event: 17th International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors, 2005, Bruges, Belgium

Abstract

A key analog fiber-optic link parameter for RF and microwave antenna remoting is conversion gain or loss, which is a measure of the output RF power to the input RF power at the modulator. The link conversion loss can be minimized by using high-power lasers, modulators with low drive voltages, and sensitive photodetectors. It is highly desirable to achieve link gain without RF amplification. This has not been possible for broadband operation due to the required modulator drive voltages. This paper reports on the development of optical waveguide modulators that can achieve subvolt drive voltages to frequencies of approximately 20 GHz. Long interaction length, multipass LiNbO₃ serpentine modulators have been fabricated employing low optical loss compact 180° turns. A record minimum RF loss achieved with a novel bridge structure electrode and used in these high performance modulators is presented. These modulators when connected to conventional antennas, operate as optical fiber electric field sensors.

Citation Download Citation

James H. Cole, Marta M. Howerton, Robert P. Moeller, John Niemel, L. Cundin, and C. Sunderman "Low drive voltage modulators with ultra low loss serpentine electrodes for electric field sensing with optical fibers", Proc. SPIE 5855, 17th International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors, (23 May 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.623602

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available