Lockheed Martin Corporation
Low impedance optical modulator

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for a low impedance optical modulator in an optical device. The optical device includes a distributed amplifier having a plurality of gain stages and is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal at an input of the distributed amplifier having a first impedance and provide an amplified version of the RF signal with a voltage gain produced through the plurality of gain stages to an output of the distributed amplifier having a second impedance smaller than the first impedance. The optical device includes an optical modulator coupled to the distributed amplifier and is configured to receive the amplified version of the RF signal at an input of the optical modulator having a same impedance as the output of the distributed amplifier and modulate the amplified version of the RF signal to produce an intensity modulated optical signal at an output of the optical modulator.