A Photonic Element, PE, comprising: an input, configured to receive an input optical signal and split the input optical signal into a first partial signal and a second partial signal; a first arm connected to the input and configured to receive the first partial signal, the first arm including: a first phase shifter; and a first intensity modulator configured to provide a first matched signal based on the first partial signal; a second arm connected to the input and configured to receive the second partial signal, including: a second phase shifter, wherein the second phase shifter is configured to operate with the first phase shifter to phase offset the first partial signal relative to the second partial signal; and a second intensity modulator configured to provide a second matched signal based on the second partial signal, wherein the second intensity modulator, but not the first intensity modulator, is configured to receive power from a power supply, whereby, when in use, the second intensity modulator actively reduces the second matched signal from the second partial signal; and an output, connected to the first arm and the second arm and configured to combine the first matched signal and the second matched signal to provide an output signal with an amplitude below an activation threshold for downstream devices. an input, configured to receive an input optical signal and split the input optical signal into a first partial signal and a second partial signal; a first arm connected to the input and configured to receive the first partial signal, the first arm including: a first phase shifter; and a first intensity modulator configured to provide a first matched signal based on the first partial signal; a first phase shifter; and a first intensity modulator configured to provide a first matched signal based on the first partial signal; a second arm connected to the input and configured to receive the second partial signal, including: a second phase shifter, wherein the second phase shifter is configured to operate with the first phase shifter to phase offset the first partial signal relative to the second partial signal; and a second intensity modulator configured to provide a second matched signal based on the second partial signal, wherein the second intensity modulator, but not the first intensity modulator, is configured to receive power from a power supply, whereby, when in use, the second intensity modulator actively reduces the second matched signal from the second partial signal; and a second phase shifter, wherein the second phase shifter is configured to operate with the first phase shifter to phase offset the first partial signal relative to the second partial signal; and a second intensity modulator configured to provide a second matched signal based on the second partial signal, wherein the second intensity modulator, but not the first intensity modulator, is configured to receive power from a power supply, whereby, when in use, the second intensity modulator actively reduces the second matched signal from the second partial signal; and an output, connected to the first arm and the second arm and configured to combine the first matched signal and the second matched signal to provide an output signal with an amplitude below an activation threshold for downstream devices.