Highly efficient 40-GHz bandwidth Ti:LiNbO/sub 3/ optical modulator employing ridge structure

The design and fabrication of a Ti:LiNbO/sub 3/ optical modulator employing a ridge structure with a shielding plane are described. The ridge structure offers a relatively low microwave propagation loss and large interaction between the microwave and optical wave under the condition of a 50 Omega characteristic impedance system, resulting in a large modulation bandwidth and low driving voltage. As a result, a 3-dB optical bandwidth of 40 GHz with a driving voltage of 3.6 V is achieved at 1.5 mu m.>