Open AccessModulator figure of merit for short reach data links
Author(s) -
Douglas M. Gill,
Chi Xiong,
J.J. Rosenberg,
P. Pepeljugoski,
Jason S. Orcutt,
W M J Green
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.25.024326
Subject(s) - figure of merit , electro optic modulator , optical modulator , optics , physics , bandwidth (computing) , modulation (music) , optical link , voltage , optical power , phase modulation , telecommunications , computer science , optical fiber , phase noise , laser , acoustics , quantum mechanics
The traditional Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) figure of merit (FOM) has been defined as (V π 2 )/υ 3dBe , and works effectively for LiNbO 3 long haul modulators. However, for plasma dispersion based electro-optic modulators, or any modulator that has an inherent relationship between its bandwidth, required drive voltage, and optical insertion loss/gain, this FOM is inappropriate. This is particularly true for short reach links with no optical amplification. In the following, we propose a new modulator FOM (M-FOM) based on device metrics that are essential for short-reach links, such as the peak-to-peak drive voltage, modulator rise-fall time, and relative optical modulation amplitude. Link sensitivity measurements from two MZMs that have different bandwidths and optical losses are compared using our M-FOM to demonstrate its utility. Furthermore, we present a novel application protocol of our M-FOM to provide deeper insight into the relative system impact that modulator performance has on data links with no optical amplification, by taking the ratio of M-FOMs from two modulators driven with the same radio frequency drive power.