Patent ID: 6532315
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
An optical modulator, comprising:an optical waveguide, said optical waveguide splitting for part of its length into first and second waveguide arms, said waveguide arms recombining to an output waveguide portion; a first electrode pair proximate said first waveguide arm and arranged with respect to each other and said first waveguide arm to subject a first optical length of said first waveguide to a first modulating electric field; a second electrode pair proximate said second waveguide arm and arranged with respect to each other and to said second waveguide arm to subject a first optical length of said second waveguide arm to a second modulating electric field, said second electrode pair being shorter than said first electrode pair, the lengths of said first electrode pair and said second electrode pair being selected to provide a predetermined amount of chirp; and means for providing unequal optical power in said first and said second waveguide arms.