Patent ID: 6172790
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G02F,H04B

Abstract:
An optical modulator, comprising:a splitter/combiner light coupler including first, second and third ports, said splitter/combiner light coupler dividing light applied to said third port into substantially equal first and second portions at said first and second ports, respectively;a first optical directional coupler including first and second coupled transmission paths, said first transmission path of said first optical directional coupler defining first and second ports, and said second transmission path of said first optical directional coupler defining first and second ports;a first light transmission path including first and second cascaded electrooptic portions, each of said first and second electrooptic portions including an electrical input port, by which the index of refraction of said electrooptic portion is responsive to electrical signals applied to said electrical input port, said first light transmission path extending from said first port of said splitter/combiner light coupler to said first port of said first transmission path of said first optical directional coupler;a second light transmission path, said second light transmission path extending from said second port of said splitter/combiner light coupler to said first port of said second transmission path of said first optical directional coupler;an optical reflector coupled to said second port of one of said first and second transmission paths of said first optical directional coupler; andan optical absorber coupled to said second port of the other one of said first and second transmission paths of said first optical directional coupler, whereby light applied to said third port of said splitter/combiner light coupler is modulated by the product of the electrical signals applied to said electrical input ports of said first and second electrooptic portions.