1000nm Phase Modulator Low Vπ, High-Power Tolerance, Single-Polarization Design for Fiber Sensing & Optical Communications

Product Introduction

A phase modulator based on straight optical waveguides can modulate the phase of light waves through electrical signals applied to the device. For the 1000nm wavelength, we provide single-polarization optical waveguides (proton-exchanged waveguides) fabricated using annealed proton exchange (APE) technology, which exhibit a high optical power threshold and excellent polarization stability.

The 1000nm phase modulator can be categorized into low-frequency phase modulators (e.g., 100MHz) and high-frequency phase modulators (e.g., 1GHz), depending on the operating frequency.

Low-frequency phase modulators utilize a high-impedance lumped-electrode modulation structure, making them suitable for applications requiring low modulation frequencies (e.g., DC to 100MHz).

High-frequency phase modulators employ a 50Ω impedance coplanar traveling-wave electrode structure, optimized for high modulation frequencies (e.g., 1–10GHz).

The 1000nm phase modulator features low insertion loss, low driving voltage, and high stability, making it ideal for applications in fiber optic sensing, optical communications, microwave photonic links, laser coherent beam combining, and more.

Working Principle

Core Mechanism: Electro-Optic Effect

When an electrical signal is applied to the modulator’s electrodes, it creates an electric field within the proton-exchanged optical waveguide (made of materials like lithium niobate).

This electric field slightly alters the waveguide’s refractive index (a property governing light propagation speed).

As light travels through the waveguide, its phase shifts in proportion to the applied voltage and the interaction length of the electrode.

Design Variations for Frequency Ranges

• Low-Frequency Phase Modulator (e.g., 100MHz):

Uses a lumped-electrode structure where the electrode is short and simple.

The electric field uniformly affects the entire waveguide, making it efficient for slow or static signals (e.g., DC to 100MHz).

Ideal for precision control in applications like fiber optic sensing or slow-tuning systems.

• High-Frequency Phase Modulator (e.g., 1GHz):

Employs a traveling-wave electrode designed like a high-speed transmission line (impedance-matched to 50Ω).

The electrical signal travels along the electrode in sync with the light wave, minimizing signal delay mismatch.

Enables ultrafast phase modulation for high-frequency applications like microwave photonics or laser radar.

Key Performance Advantages

High Power Handling: The annealed proton exchange (APE) waveguide resists optical damage even under intense laser power.

Stable Polarization: The waveguide supports only one polarization, avoiding interference from unwanted polarization shifts.

Efficiency: Low driving voltage and minimal optical loss ensure energy-efficient operation.

Applications

Fiber Optic Sensing

• Distributed Acoustic/Vibration Sensing (DAS/DVS):Enables real-time detection of vibrations or strain over long fiber spans for infrastructure monitoring (e.g., pipelines, railways).

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Optical Communications

• Coherent Optical Transmission: Supports phase-encoded modulation formats (e.g., QPSK, 16-QAM) for high-capacity data transmission in telecom networks.
• LiDAR Systems:Enables phase-based beam steering or frequency chirping for automotive/industrial LiDAR with improved resolution.
• Advantage:High-frequency modulators (up to 10GHz) allow ultrafast signal processing in next-generation optical links.

Microwave Photonics

• Microwave Photonic Links:Converts microwave signals to optical domains with minimal distortion, critical for radar, satellite communications, and 5G/6G wireless systems.
• Optical Signal Processing:Facilitates phase-based filtering, delay lines, or frequency mixing for analog/RF signal conditioning.
• Advantage:Traveling-wave electrode design ensures broad bandwidth and impedance matching for high-fidelity RF-optical conversion.

Laser Systems

• Coherent Beam Combining:Synchronizes multiple laser beams to achieve high-power, diffraction-limited outputs for industrial cutting or defense applications.

Quantum Technologies

• Quantum Key Distribution (QKD):Modulates photon phases for secure quantum communication protocols.
• Optical Quantum Computing:Controls photonic qubits in integrated quantum circuits.
• Advantage:Low-drive-voltage operation reduces system complexity and power consumption.

Biophotonics & Medical Imaging

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT):Enhances imaging depth and resolution in medical diagnostics (e.g., retinal scans).
• Advantage:Polarization stability ensures consistent imaging quality in biological tissues.

Technical Specifications

Mechanical Drawings

FAQ

Q: What are typical applications?

A:Fiber Optic Sensing: Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), interferometric measurements

LiDAR: Phase-encoded frequency modulation for enhanced resolution

Quantum Communication: Photon phase modulation in Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

Microwave Photonics: Radio-over-Fiber (RoF), radar signal processing

Q: What are its key advantages?
A: Low driving voltage (Half-wave voltage Vπ ≤3.0V @100MHz)

High polarization stability (Extinction ratio ≥20dB)

Broad frequency compatibility (Low-frequency: DC–100MHz; High-frequency: 1–10GHz)

High optical power tolerance (Input power ≤100mW)