DOUBLE-END CROSS-LINKED ELECTROOPTIC POLYMER MODULATORS WITH HIGH OPTICAL POWER HANDLING CAPABILITY

Integrated Mach-Zehnder and straight channel electro-optic modulators have been fabricated with a double-end crosslinked polymer containing amino-sulfone chromophores. The optical power handling capability of t hese modulators was tested at 1.32 mu m wavelength and at input optica l power levels compatible with commercial analog transmitters. At a cw peak intensity of 0.9 MW/cm(2) inside the waveguide, the double-end c rosslinked polymer waveguide modulators exhibited no observable increa se in optical loss or degradation of nonlinearity during the experimen t period. The poled polymer show-ed a long-term thermal stability of t he electro-optic coefficient at 100 degrees C and photochemical stabil ity at 633 nm wavelength. (C) 1997 American institute of Physics.