Reduction of intermodulation distortion in interferometric optical modulators

Abstract

A dual-polarization technique for reducing intermodulation distortion in integrated-optic interferometric modulators is described. While this technique results in a decrease in modulator sensitivity, the intermodulation distortion can be significantly reduced for a given depth of optical modulation by adjusting the relative amounts of TE and TM optical power. Reductions in intermodulation distortion as high as 21 dB were demonstrated by means of this technique with a Ti:LiNbO3 device.