Electro-optic modulator utilizing copper-tungsten electrodes for improved thermal stability
US11640075B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2020 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 7, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2202/106
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A high-power electro-optic modulator (EOM) is formed to use specialized electrodes of a material selected to have a CTE that matches the CTE of the modulator's crystal. Providing CTE matching reduces the presence of stress-induced birefringence, which is known to cause unwanted modulation of the propagating optical signal. The specialized electrodes are preferably formed of a CuW metal matrix composite having a W/Cu ratio selected to create the matching CTE value. Advantageously, the CuW-based electrodes also exhibit a thermal conductivity about an order of magnitude greater than conventional electrode material (brass, Kovar) and thus provide additional thermal stability to the EOM's performance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.