Presented is the effect of using various cladding layers with different dielectric constants on the applied modulation voltage for nonlinear optic (NLO) polymer based integrated OE devices. The dielectric constants of the core and cladding materials used for NLOs polymer based integrated optoelectronic devices are typically very similar in magnitude. This suggests that even for low modulation rates, only 20% to 25% of the applied modulation voltage (voltage between the electrodes) is being dropped across the core region. With this small percentage of applied voltage reaching the NLO core layer, it becomes necessary to apply 4 to 5 times higher modulation voltage in order to achieve the desired (pi) phase change through the core.
An analysis of the design and function of multi-layer electro-optic (EO) device structures is presented. Some alternate methods of enhancing electro-optic capabilities of existing, well-studied EO materials are investigated. Through analysis of the electronic and linear optical properties of these components, some possible enhancements have been demonstrated. Experimental and theoretical studies have shown that the relative conductivity and electrical properties of the cladding and guiding layers play a crucial role in the function of electro-optic, guided wave devices. The addition of relatively conductive cladding layers in a device structure has been shown to reduce external poling voltage and delay catastrophic breakdown at high effective poling fields, thus enhancing the achievable EO coefficients and reducing the necessity for high poling voltages. Similarly, material studies have also indicated that the incorporation of a thin interplay between guiding and cladding layers can lead to enhanced guiding and poling in electro-optic guided wave devices. Thus modifications of the non-active components in existing device structures are shown to enhance both waveguide function and EO characteristics of these polymer guided-wave devices.
A scheme for a five volt V(pi) ) nonlinear optical (NLO) polymer optoelectronic (OE) device is presented with the potential to realize an interaction length that is about an order of magnitude shorter than conventional five volt V(pi) ) NLO polymer OE devices. It utilizes available NLO polymer materials for the core layer and a conductive polymer material for the cladding layers. Since the cladding layer material is more conductive than the core material, most of the applied poling and modulation voltages is dropped across the core layer, rendering a more efficient device. Using an NLO polymer material with electrooptic (EO) coefficients of say 22 pm/V, it is feasible to demonstrate < 2 mm OE devices operating at TTL voltage levels. These small device sizes could lead to use within electronic multichip modules. In addition, since the majority of the poling voltage is dropped across the core layer, less voltage is required so that in-situ poling becomes possible.
A new scheme for a nonlinear optical (NLO) polymer opto- electronic (OE) modulators/switch is presented that renders the potential to realize a device interaction length that is an order of magnitude shorter than conventional NLO polymer OE devices operating at TTL voltage levels. It utilizes available NLO polymer materials for the corelayer and conductive polymer materials for the cladding layers in order to realize an effective 1 micrometers separation between the electrodes. Using current NLO polymer materials with electro-optic coefficients of 20 pm/V, it is feasible to demonstrate < 2 mm interaction length OE devices operating at 5 volts. These lengths could lead to insertion within multichip modules. A 1 micrometers gap between electrodes also makes it possible to perform in-situ poling.
Presented is a novel design for opto-electronic integrated optic devices utilizing a nonlinear optical polymer core and conductive polymer claddings that will potentially have an order of magnitude shorter interaction length than conventional NLO polymer OE devices operating at TTL voltage levels and allows for in-situ poling.
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