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Title: Dielectric waveguide gas-filled stark shift modulator

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1174412

An optical modulator includes a dielectric waveguide for receiving an optical beam and coupling energy of the optical beam into the waveguide. At least one Stark material is provided in the waveguide. A bias circuit generates a bias signal to produce an electrical field across the Stark material to shift at least one of the Stark absorption frequencies towards the frequency of the optical beam. A circuit for producing a time varying electric field across the Stark material modulates the optical beam. At least a portion of the bias field can be generated by an alternating bias signal, such as a square wave. A method of modulating optical signals includes the steps of providing a dielectric waveguide for receiving an optical beam and coupling energy of the optical beam into the waveguide, the waveguide having at least one Stark material disposed therein, and varying an electric field imposed across the Stark material.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
Assignee:
UT-Battelle, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)
Patent Number(s):
6,597,487
Application Number:
10/007,180
OSTI ID:
1174412
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (2)

Launch conditions and mode coupling in hollow-glass waveguides journal September 1998
Strain‐compensated InAsP/GaInP multiple quantum wells for 1.3 μm waveguide modulators journal January 1996