A review of lithium niobate modulators for fiber-optic communications systems

• Published in: IEEE journal of selected topics in quantum electronics Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 69 - 82
• Main Authors: Wooten, E.L., Kissa, K.M., Yi-Yan, A., Murphy, E.J., Lafaw, D.A., Hallemeier, P.F., Maack, D., Attanasio, D.V., Fritz, D.J., McBrien, G.J., Bossi, D.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.01.2000; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Bandwidth; Communication systems; Design engineering; Devices; Digital communication; Electrodes; Fabrication; Fiber optics; High speed; Lithium niobate; Modulation; Modulators; Optical fiber communication; Optical fiber devices; Optical fibers; Optical modulation; Optical waveguides; Voltage
• ISSN: 1077-260X; 1558-4542
• DOI: 10.1109/2944.826874

The current status of lithium-niobate external-modulator technology is reviewed with emphasis on design, fabrication, system requirements, performance, and reliability. The technology meets the performance and reliability requirements of current 2.5-, 10-, and 40-Gb/s digital communication systems, as well as CATV analog systems. The current trend in device topology is toward higher data rates and increased levels of integration. In particular, multiple high-speed modulation functions, such as 10-Gb/s return-to-zero pulse generation plus data modulation, have been achieved in a single device.