Module to determine the optimum bias of a semiconductor EA modulator

Jessica G. Huntington; William S. C. Chang; Paul K. L. Yu; Stephen A. Pappert; Chen Kuo Sun

doi:10.1117/12.399390

7 September 2000 Module to determine the optimum bias of a semiconductor EA modulator

Jessica G. Huntington, William S. C. Chang, Paul K. L. Yu, Stephen A. Pappert, Chen Kuo Sun

Proceedings Volume 4112, Radio Frequency Photonic Devices and Systems; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.399390
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2000, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The best RF link gain and the multi-octave SFDR are obtained when the semiconductor EA modulator is biased at the point where the photocurrent has maximum slope efficiency. Since the maximum slope efficiency corresponds directly to the maximum slope of the photocurrent, the photocurrent output is monitored as the applied bias voltage is swept¹. The voltage at which the modulator photocurrent changes fastest (highest slope) corresponds to the optimum bias point for maximum link gain. During the sweep, the photocurrent output from the modulator is amplified and sent to a microcontroller. The microcontroller records the photocurrent during the sweep and determines the optimum bias. This is preferable to the common way of determining maximum RF gain by tapping off a portion of the optical power because it does not induce optical loss or require additional optical components. This paper will present the design and testing of a module that will stand alone and apply the optimum dc bias for a modulator automatically.

Citation Download Citation

Jessica G. Huntington, William S. C. Chang, Paul K. L. Yu, Stephen A. Pappert, and Chen Kuo Sun "Module to determine the optimum bias of a semiconductor EA modulator", Proc. SPIE 4112, Radio Frequency Photonic Devices and Systems, (7 September 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.399390

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