Integrated Microwave-to-Optical Converter Using Patch Antennas on Thin-Film Lithium Niobate

Abstract

An integrated microwave-to-optical converter is demonstrated using a slotted patch antenna and an embedded optical waveguide fabricated on the thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) platform. The converter is designed to operate at the center frequency of 28 GHz with a 3-dB bandwidth of 4 GHz. Experimental results exhibit a 3-dB bandwidth of 3.5 GHz and a carrier-to-sideband ratio (CSR) of 40 dB under an incident electric field of 82 V/m at 29.5 GHz frequency.