Spatial Light Modulator Design Optimization for All-Optical Analog-to-Digital Convertors (AOADC) of 40GS/s with 9.4 ENOB

Abstract

Optimum design of lateral coupled micro-strip (CMS) driving electrodes of electro-optic (E-O) polymer based optical modulators are discussed, where improved modulation sensitivity is achieved using 1D photonic crystal (PhC). The 1D PhC structure consists of alternating sub-micrometer layers of PMMI and Air materials, while the of JRD-1 with PMMI as host material are considered for realizations of efficient spatial light modulator (SLM) and phase modulator (PM) that are compatible with Si-Photonics. A broader bandwidth and flat group delay are predicted for PM using proper design of CMS electrodes. CMS electrode designs of PM are optimized using linearly down-tapered electrical and dielectric gaps by comparing performance in terms of RF insertion loss, RF group delay, RF pulse dispersion, and optical loss in optical waveguide. Spatial light modulator (SLM) electrode design duplicates PM design though a higher index of refraction superstrate assures leaky wave that deflects light for AOADC at 40GS/s with 9.4 effective number of bits (ENOB).