Patent ID: 7826751

Claim:
A low-noise RF-to-optical modulation device comprising an electro-optic modulator comprising an optical waveguide having an optical input that receives an optical beam propagating as a traveling wave in a first direction and an optical output port, and an electrical waveguide having a RF input port that receives a RF signal at one end propagating as a traveling wave in the first direction, the electro-optic modulator being configured as a non-reciprocal waveguide device where coupling between the electrical waveguide and the optical waveguide is a function of direction of propagation of traveling waves through the non-reciprocal waveguide device so that noise propagating as a traveling wave in a second direction that is counter propagating with the optical beam propagating as the traveling wave in the first direction is not significantly modulated onto the optical beam, the electro-optic modulator generating an optical signal that is modulated by the RF signal at the optical output port with reduced noise.