Polarization-insensitive electro-optic modulator based on thin-film lithium niobate multimode waveguide
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: We demonstrate a polarization-insensitive electro-optic (EO) modulator based on x-cut thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN), employing capacitively loaded traveling-wave (CLTW) electrodes on an undercut-etched silicon substrate. By converting the TM0 mode into a higher-order TE1 mode via adiabatic mode converters and modulating both TE0 and TE1 modes simultaneously in a multimode Mach–Zehnder interferometer, polarization-insensitive modulation is achieved without duplicating modulators or control circuits. The fabricated device exhibits a polarization-dependent loss (PDL) of 2.2 dB, a modulation efficiency of VπL = 3.12 V cm, and a 3-dB EO bandwidth of 43 GHz for both modes. High-speed data transmission is experimentally verified with clear eye diagrams up to 100 Gb/s (OOK) and 112 Gb/s (PAM-4) for both polarizations. These results highlight the feasibility of dual-mode modulation for polarization-insensitive interconnects and support its potential for deployment in co-packaged optics (CPO) and remote external light sources related transmitter systems.
Source: APL Photonics
DOI: 10.1063/5.0289772
Authors: Haohua Wang, Zong Wang, Lu Qi, Ao Cui, Ziliang Ruan, Changjian Guo, Kaixuan Chen, Liu Liu
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,750
Awards: G1230071142, G6651221135
OpenAlex ID: W4416867431