Low-Vπ electro-optic modulator with a high-μβ chromophore and a constant-bias field

A low half-wave voltage V-pi of 1.57 V was obtained with a 2-cm-long birefringent polymer waveguide modulator at a wavelength of 1.3 mu m by use of a modulator design with a constant-bias electric field and a high-mu beta chromophore. The design allows the maximum achievable electro-optic coefficient of the material to be utilized. This electro-optic coefficient can be more than twice as high as the residue value that is used by conventional modulator designs, after fast partial relaxation following poling. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.