Modeling Mach-Zehnder LiNbO3 external modulators in microwave optical systems

A novel modeling approach for Mach-Zehnder electrooptic modulators (MZ-EOMs ) in microwave optical systems is presented. MZ-EOM traveling-wave electrod es are fully characterized by an electrode transfer function (ETF) which co nsiders internal design parameters. This ETF is approximated by the modulat or electrical response that, jointly with the half-wave voltage at dc and t he optical insertion loss, are the three parameters on which the model is b ased. Frequency- and time-domain models are provided. An excellent agreemen t between theoretical and experimental results validates the proposed model ing approach, useful in simulating microwave optical systems. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.