Patent ID: 9069223
Filing Date: 2015-06-30
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. A Mach-Zehnder optical modulator comprising: two optical waveguides; a beamsplitter dividing an input optical signal into two optical signals propagating in parallel along the optical waveguides; a series push-pull traveling wave electrode having two signal electrodes extending parallel and adjacent to the optical waveguides with no ground electrode interposed between the two signal electrodes, said signal electrodes carrying a differential electrical modulation signal to induce a change in relative phase of the optical signals along the optical waveguides; ground planes running parallel to the signal electrodes and spaced laterally outward from the signal electrodes and providing a return path to ground for the differential electrical modulation signal; a common conductive plane between the optical waveguides providing a signal path for the differential electrical modulation signal between the signal electrodes through the optical waveguides without providing a return path to ground for the differential electrical modulation signal; and an optical element recombining the optical signals exiting the optical waveguides into an output optical signal.