Mathematical simulation of the characteristics of an electro-optical modulator in the configuration of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer based on thin films of lithium niobate

Publication in Journal of Optical Technology

For Russian citation (Opticheskii Zhurnal):

Кузнецов И.В., Перин А.С. Исследование характеристик электрооптического модулятора в конфигурации интерферометра Маха–Цендера на основе тонких плёнок ниобата лития // Оптический журнал. 2023. Т. 90. № 2. С. 68–77. http:doi.org/ 10.17586/1023-5086-2023-90-02-68-77 Kuznetsov I.V., Perin A.S. Mathematical simulation of the characteristics of an electro-optical modulator in the configuration of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer based on thin films of lithium niobate [in Russian] //Opticheskii Zhurnal. 2023. V. 90. № 2. P. 68–77. http:doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2023-90-02-68-77

For citation (Journal of Optical Technology):

I. V. Kuznetsov and A. S. Perin, "Mathematical modeling of the parameters of an electro-optic modulator in the Mach–Zehnder interferometer configuration based on thin lithium niobate films," Journal of Optical Technology. 90(2), 93-97 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1364/JOT.90.000093

Abstract:

Subject of study. An electro-optical modulator in the configuration of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer based on ridge waveguides made of a thin film of lithium niobate was studied. Aim of study. Simulation of the characteristics of an electro-optical modulator in the configuration of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer based on ridge waveguides made of a thin film of lithium niobate. Method. By means of the beam propagation method based on the fast Fourier transform, the dependence of the optical loss introduced by the Y-branch splitter on the angle of the splitter was studied. Main results. The results of mathematical modeling of the study of the characteristics of an electro-optical modulator in the configuration of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer based on thin films of lithium niobate are presented. The dependence of the value of optical losses introduced by the Y-splitter on the separation angle of the waveguides is received. Images of interference patterns appearing in the output waveguide are obtained. A comparison showing the greater efficiency of the proposed configuration of the interferometer compared to the alternative solutions available in the literature has been made. The novelty of the results lies in the fact that the configuration of the electro-optical modulator studied in this work assumes its fabrication in the form of an integrated optical circuit based on ridge waveguides of thin-film lithium niobate. Such a solution will make it possible to reduce the dimensions of the final device and increase the sensitivity in comparison with existing analogues based on bulk electro-optical crystals. Also, due to the use of a substrate made of a semiconductor material, there is a promising possibility of integrating an electronic circuit into a substrate, which will make it possible to implement an electron-optical system on a single chip. Practical significance. The method of analysis of interference patterns proposed in this work will provide information on the magnitude of the voltage applied to the arm of the interferometer and develop requirements for its further modernization in order to increase the accuracy of measurements and develop optoelectronic devices based on thin films of lithium niobate, including integrated optical sensors of the electric field.

Keywords:

Mach–Zehnder interferometer, electro-optical effect, lithium niobate thin films, ridge waveguide, electro-optical modulator, electric field sensor

OCIS codes: 230.2090, 310.0310, 230.4110, 130.0250

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