NOVEL INTEGRATED-OPTIC INTENSITY MODULATOR BASED ON MODE-COUPLING

The analysis, design, realization, and measurements of a novel intensi ty modulator are reported. The operating principle is based on mode co upling between a passive low-loss SiON waveguide and an electro-optic high-loss polymer waveguiding structure. Matching the waveguides is cr itical and results in severe demands for the technology. Extended simu lations by the Coupled Mode Theory, the Leaky Wave Model, and Finite D ifference Beam Propagation Method resulted in the design of several mo dulator structures. After realization, modulation could be demonstrate d at 632 nm and at 1523 nm using lossy waveguiding modes and surface p lasmon modes.