OPTICAL HETERODYNE-DETECTION OF 60 GHZ ELECTROOPTIC MODULATION FROM POLYMER WAVE-GUIDE MODULATORS

An optical heterodyne technique has been used to demonstrate electro-optic modulation up to 60 GHz, the highest reported to date, in polymer waveguide modulators. The frequency response of the device from 40 to 60 GHz was obtained by measuring the frequency down converted modulation signal with a low frequency photodetector. No rolling-off was identifiable from the measured device response, indicating no fundamental material limitations in this frequency range for the polymer material which we used. Such an optical heterdyne system can be a powerful tool for modulator characterization at millimeter wave frequencies because of its high sensitivity and low frequency demands on photoreceivers. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.