A novel microstrip resonator structure for use with integrated Y-branch optical modulators fabricated in Ti:LiNbO₃ is proposed. The legs of the structure are intended to act as the electrodes of the modulator, with light being directed into each of the output waveguides of the Y-branch on alternate half-cycles of the standing wave excited in the resonator; forming an optical commutator switch. Such resonators having Al₂O₃ substrates were designed, fabricated, and tested. Measurements on one such resonator, operating at 7.12 GHz and having an unloaded quality factor of 123, indicating that 50 V should develop across the ends of its legs for 35 mW dissipated power; the corresponding values, from the model used to design the resonator, were 179, 50 V,and 24 mW, respectively. Using the model it is shown that a similar resonator fabricated on LiNbO₃ should be able to develop about 50 V for 100 mW dissipated power at 15 GHz.

Date Published: 6 April 1993
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 1794, Integrated Optical Circuits II, (6 April 1993); doi: 10.1117/12.141916

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1794:
Integrated Optical Circuits II
Ka-Kha Wong, Editor(s)