Ciena Corporation
OPTICAL MODULATOR AND OPTICAL MODULATOR DRIVER DEVICES AND METHODS UTILIZING INDEPENDENT ARM BIAS TO MITIGATE FABRICATION ERRORS

Abstract:

An optical modulator device and method, including and utilizing: a first optical waveguide arm including one or more optical phase shifters, e.g., pn junctions, and configured to receive a first bias voltage V.sub.bias1; and a second optical waveguide arm including one or more optical phase shifters, e.g., pn junctions, and configured to receive a second bias voltage V.sub.bias2; wherein the first bias voltage V.sub.bias1 and the second bias voltage V.sub.bias2 are dissimilar, such that the first optical waveguide arm and the second optical waveguide arm exhibit a same phase modulation. V.sub.bias1 and V.sub.bias2 are selected such that the corresponding slopes V.sub..pi. of the associated phase shift versus applied bias voltage curves are equal. The optical modulator device further includes a driver coupled to the first optical waveguide arm and the second optical waveguide arm and including a current offset control circuit operable for providing V.sub.bias1 and V.sub.bias2.