Integrated control system for laser and Mach-Zehnder interferometer

US7916377B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Luxtera, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jeremy Witzens · Aachen, DE
• Behnam Analui · Irvine, US
• Sina Mirsaidi · San Diego, US
• Thiruvikraman Sadagopan · Mountain View, US
• Brian Welch · San Diego, US
• Adithyaram Narasimha · Carlsbad, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 3, 2009
• Grant date: Mar 29, 2011
• Expiry date: Nov 3, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04B10/50575
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An integrated control system for a laser and Mach-Zehnder interferometer are disclosed and may include configuring a bias point for low-speed control of an optical modulator utilizing control circuitry integrated on the same CMOS die. The optical modulator may be differentially monitored. A laser source for the modulator may be controlled utilizing monitor photodiodes via optical taps on outputs of the modulator, or utilizing a monitor photodiode on one output port of the modulator, which may comprise a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. An error signal may be generated by subtracting monitor photodiode signals from optical taps on output ports of the modulator. The bias point of the modulator may be adjusted by minimizing the error signal. Calibration time of the bias point may be reduced utilizing electronic data inversion. An output of the modulator may comprise a Y-junction and a single monitor photodiode may measure both branches of the modulator.