Optical modulator RF electrodes
US11016360B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 2020 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/2257
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The performance of an electro-optic modulator depends in part on the capacitance, the inductance, the electric field distribution, and the signal insertion loss of a microwave transmission line that modulates the refractive index of a waveguide via the electro-optic effect. Conventional electro-optic modulators are typically unable to improve one of these properties without negatively affecting other properties, resulting in lower performance. These shortcomings may be overcome, in part, by the inclusion of capacitive structures to decouple these properties. The capacitive structure may include a fang and/or a hook to tune the capacitance and the electric field distribution without appreciably changing the inductance or the signal insertion losses. The inductance and the signal insertion losses may be tuned by changing the sizes and shapes of a signal conductor, a ground conductor, and a slot formed between the signal and ground conductors without appreciably changing the capacitance or the electric field distribution.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.