LINEARIZATION OF 1.3-MU-M MQW ELECTROABSORPTION MODULATORS USING AN ALL-OPTICAL FREQUENCY-INSENSITIVE TECHNIQUE

A novel all-optical linearization technique has been developed for dis crete multiquantum-well electroabsorption modulators by exploiting the wavelength dependence of the quantum-confined Stark effect, The corre cting signal for a particular order of nonlinearity is generated by th e same modulator at a detuned optical wavelength, canceling the undesi red order of nonlinear distortion via coherent RF recombination at the photodetector, This dual-wavelength approach is simple and insensitiv e to the microwave subcarrier frequency. A dramatic 30-dB reduction in the third-order nonlinear distortion at 10 GHz and 8-dB increase in t he suboctave link dynamic range were achieved experimentally.