Optical intensity modulator based on a novel electrooptic polymer incorporating a high mu beta chromophore

We have synthesized a novel electrooptic (EO) polymer based on a high mu be ta chromophore incorporating tricyanobutadiene accepters. A crosslinked pol yurethane network was also adopted to enhance its thermal stability. In ord er to find the optimum poling condition for the polymer, the influence of t he electric poling profile on optical characteristics such as EO effect, th ermal stability, and damage was investigated. Then a high-speed intensity m odulator using the EO polymer was designed and fabricated. The measured hal f-wave voltage V pi was 4.5 V at the wavelength of 1.31 mu m. Accordingly, the achieved EO coefficient rs, was as high as 25 pm/V, and the thermal sta bility of the poled polymer was as high as 95 degrees C. Finally, the modul ator was successfully operated up to 40 GHz.