Key parameters of Mach Zehnder modulator

Key parameters of Mach Zehnder modulator
Mach Zehnder Modulator (MZM Modulator) is a high-end electro-optic intensity modulator developed based on the principle of optical interference. It belongs to an important branch of electro-optic modulation in the optical modulation technology system. Currently, mainstream products are prepared using lithium niobate (LiNbO3) optical waveguide technology. With its three core performance advantages of ultra-low chirp, ultra-high extinction ratio, and ultra large modulation bandwidth, it has become a recognized benchmark modulation product in the fields of long-distance backbone fiber optic communication, coherent optical communication, optical frequency comb generation, and ultrafast laser systems.
1、 Key parameters:
1.1 Working wavelength: 1310nm/1550nm is currently the mainstream choice in the field of communication
1.2 Half wave voltage V π: Commercial waveguide products are generally controlled within 5V. The lower the half wave voltage, the lower the driving cost of the corresponding device
1.3 Modulation bandwidth: Currently, commercial products are mainly divided into different levels of 40G/80G/120GHz;
1.4 Extinction ratio: The extinction ratio of high-quality products can reach over 25dB, with performance far superior to EAM
1.5 Insertion loss: The typical value is in the range of 3~4.5dB;
1.6 Chirp Coefficient: Products with excellent performance can achieve almost zero chirp, which is their unique core advantage in long-distance transmission scenarios.
2. Product classification:
2.1 By driving mode: single arm modulation, dual arm push-pull modulation (mainstream in the communication field, with better linearity);
2.2 By function: Ordinary strength MZM Modulator, IQ integrated MZM Modulator (dedicated for coherent communication, integrated by orthogonal dual MZM Modulator.
2.3 Commercial products are mainly based on integrated waveguide configurations, balancing performance and mass production stability.

3. Application scenarios:
Covering backbone network 400G/800G/1.6T long-distance optical modules, coherent optical radar/fiber sensing, ultrafast laser mode locking/optical frequency comb preparation, quantum communication phase control and other fields.
4.Development trend:

Advancing towards miniaturization of thin film lithium niobate MZM modulator and mass production of silicon-based integrated MZM modulators, achieving cost reduction and efficiency improvement, and expanding more application scenarios.