Self-calibrating measurement of high-speed electro-optic phase modulators based on two-tone modulation

Abstract

We propose a self-calibrating method for high-frequency response measurement of electro-optic phase modulators based on two-tone modulation. The method utilizes the electrical domain measurement of heterodyning spectrum between the two-tone modulation optical signal and the frequency-shifted optical carrier, and eliminates the need to correct the responsivity fluctuation in the photodetection. High-frequency modulation depth and half-wave voltages are measured and compared to those with the traditional optical spectrum analysis method in the experimental demonstration. The proposed method enables calibration-free and accurate frequency response measurement of electro-optic phase modulators by using high-resolution electrical spectrum analysis.