Optical modulator and communications system
First Claim
1. An optical modulator comprising an optical waveguide made of a material with an electro-optic effect and a modulating electrode for applying a modulating electric signal to light propagating through the optical waveguide, wherein the optical waveguide is defined on an electro-optic crystal substrate, wherein the optical waveguide is defined as a ridge on the surface of the electro-optic crystal substrate, and wherein the modulator further includes a periodic structure, of which the equivalent refractive index changes periodically in a light propagation direction and which reduces a group velocity of the light propagating through the optical waveguide.
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Abstract
An optical modulator according to the present invention includes an optical waveguide 2a to 2d made of a material with an electro-optic effect and a modulating electrode 3 for applying a modulating electric signal to light propagating through the optical waveguide 2a to 2d. The modulator further includes a periodic structure, of which the equivalent refractive index changes periodically in a light propagation direction and which can reduce the group velocity of the light propagating through the optical waveguide 2a, 2b.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical modulator comprising an optical waveguide made of a material with an electro-optic effect and a modulating electrode for applying a modulating electric signal to light propagating through the optical waveguide,
wherein the optical waveguide is defined on an electro-optic crystal substrate, wherein the optical waveguide is defined as a ridge on the surface of the electro-optic crystal substrate, and wherein the modulator further includes a periodic structure, of which the equivalent refractive index changes periodically in a light propagation direction and which reduces a group velocity of the light propagating through the optical waveguide.
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20. An optical modulator comprising an optical waveguide made of a material with an electro-optic effect and a modulating electrode for applying a modulating electric signal to light propagating through the optical waveguide,
wherein the modulator further includes a periodic structure, of which the equivalent refractive index changes periodically in a light propagation direction and which reduces a group velocity of the light propagating through the optical waveguide to 1/500 or less.
Specification