Título: Analytical model for calculating the nonlinear distortion in silicon-based electro-optic Mach-Zehnder modulators
Autor: Gutiérrez Campo, Ana María; Brimont, Antoine Christian Jacques; Herrera Llorente, Javier; Aamer, Mariam; Thomson, Dave J.; Gardes, Frederic Y.; Reed, Graham T.; Fedeli, Jean-Marc; Sanchis Kilders, Pablo
Resumen: [EN] In this study, an analytical model for calculating the
nonlinear harmonic/intermodulation distortion for RF signals in
silicon-based electro-optic modulators is investigated by considering
the nonlinearity on the effective index change curve with the
operation point and the device structure simultaneously. Distortion
expressions are obtained and theoretical results are presented
showing that optimal modulator parameters can be found to linearize
it. Moreover, the harmonic distortion of a 1 mm silicon-based
asymmetric MZI is RF characterized and used to corroborate
the theoretical results. Based on the present model, the nonlinear
distortion in terms of bias voltage or operating wavelength
is calculated and validated by comparing with the experimental
data, showing a good agreement between measurements and
theory. Analog photonic link quality parameter like carrier-todistortion
is one of the parameters that can be found with that
model. Finally, the modulation depth is measured to assure that no
over-modulation is produced.
