Double-end crosslinked electro-optic polymer modulators with high optical power handling capability

Abstract

Integrated Mach–Zehnder and straight channel electro-optic modulators have been fabricated with a double-end crosslinked polymer containing amino-sulfone chromophores. The optical power handling capability of these modulators was tested at 1.32 μm wavelength and at input optical power levels compatible with commercial analog transmitters. At a cw peak intensity of 0.9 MW/cm2 inside the waveguide, the double-end crosslinked polymer waveguide modulators exhibited no observable increase in optical loss or degradation of nonlinearity during the experiment period. The poled polymer showed a long-term thermal stability of the electro-optic coefficient at 100 °C and photochemical stability at 633 nm wavelength.