LOW-V-PI ELECTROOPTIC MODULATOR WITH A HIGH-MU-BETA CHROMOPHORE AND ACONSTANT-BIAS FIELD

A low half-wave voltage V-pi of 1.57 V was obtained with a 2-cm-long b irefringent polymer waveguide modulator at a wavelength of 1.3 mu m by use of a modulator design with a constant-bias electric field and a h igh-mu beta chromophore. The design allows the maximum achievable elec tro-optic coefficient of the material to be utilized. This electro-opt ic coefficient can be more than twice as high as the residue value tha t is used by conventional modulator designs, after fast partial relaxa tion following poling. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.