WO2021048972A1 - 半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器およびiq変調器 - Google Patents
半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器およびiq変調器 Download PDFInfo
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/21—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour by interference
- G02F1/225—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour by interference in an optical waveguide structure
- G02F1/2257—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour by interference in an optical waveguide structure the optical waveguides being made of semiconducting material
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/015—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on semiconductor elements having potential barriers, e.g. having a PN or PIN junction
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/015—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on semiconductor elements having potential barriers, e.g. having a PN or PIN junction
- G02F1/017—Structures with periodic or quasi periodic potential variation, e.g. superlattices, quantum wells
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/21—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour by interference
- G02F1/212—Mach-Zehnder type
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/21—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour by interference
- G02F1/225—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour by interference in an optical waveguide structure
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F2201/00—Constructional arrangements not provided for in groups G02F1/00 - G02F7/00
- G02F2201/12—Constructional arrangements not provided for in groups G02F1/00 - G02F7/00 electrode
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F2202/00—Materials and properties
- G02F2202/10—Materials and properties semiconductor
- G02F2202/102—In×P and alloy
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
- H04B10/50—Transmitters
- H04B10/516—Details of coding or modulation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a semiconductor Mach zender modulator that modulates an optical signal with an electric signal, and an IQ modulator that uses a semiconductor Mach zender modulator.
- multi-valued light modulators using digital coherent technology play a major role in realizing large-capacity transceivers exceeding 100 Gbps.
- optical modulators capable of Mach-Zehnder (MZ: Mach-Zehnder) interference type zero-charp drive are built in parallel in multiple stages. ..
- HB-CDM High Bandwidth Coherent Driver Modulator
- a traveling wave type electrode In a broadband semiconductor MZ modulator, a traveling wave type electrode is generally used. In the traveling wave type electrode, in order to improve the modulation band, (I) velocity matching of the microwave propagating in the electrode and the light propagating in the waveguide, and (II) reducing the propagation loss of the electrode are very important. .. In order to satisfy (I) and (II), a capacitive loading structure is used in the semiconductor MZ modulator (see Non-Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Document 3).
- a semiconductor MZ modulator having a capacitive loading structure is designed to perform phase modulation by forming a main line for transmitting a modulation signal and an electrode for branching the modulation signal from the main line and applying it to a waveguide.
- the amount of capacitance added to the main line can be freely designed, and the impedance of the main line can be freely designed.
- the microwave velocity can be designed to any value.
- the optimum capacitance addition amount to the main line it is possible to improve the speed matching of light waves and microwaves, and also to obtain impedance matching to 50 ⁇ , resulting in a wider bandwidth. realizable.
- a voltage is applied between an n-type semiconductor layer in the lower layer and an electrode on the surface, and a reverse bias is applied to the semiconductor MQW (Multi Quantum Well) layer due to the voltage difference.
- the n-type semiconductor layer has a significantly lower resistance value than the p-type semiconductor layer, but has a higher resistance value than the metal.
- it is necessary to apply a voltage through the n-type semiconductor layer, so that a voltage drop occurs when a current flows through the n-type semiconductor layer due to the resistance of the n-type semiconductor layer.
- the absolute amount of voltage required to be applied to the n-type semiconductor layer for driving increases, so that the bias voltage during operation becomes large, which causes a problem of inefficiency. ..
- FIGS. 10A and 10B are plan views of the semiconductor MZ light modulator
- FIG. 10B is a sectional view taken along line cc'of FIG. 10A.
- 101 is an input waveguide of a semiconductor MZ optical modulator
- 102 is an output waveguide
- 103 is an optical demultiplexer that splits a light wave propagating in the input waveguide 101 into two waveguides 104 and 105.
- a device, 106 is an optical modulator that combines light waves propagating through two waveguides 104 and 105 into an output waveguide 102, 109 and 110 are coplanar strip lines, and 111 and 112 apply a voltage to the waveguides 104 and 105.
- the electrode 118 is an electrode pad connected to the lower n-type semiconductor layer.
- 113 is an n-InP layer (n-type semiconductor layer)
- 114 is a lower clad layer made of InP
- 115 is a semiconductor core layer in which light waves propagate
- 116 is an upper clad layer made of InP
- 117 is SI-InP. It is a substrate.
- the input waveguide 101, the output waveguide 102, the optical demultiplexer 103, the waveguides 104, 105, and the optical combiner 106 constitute an MZ interferometer.
- the MZ interferometer by applying a voltage to the waveguides 104 and 105, the refractive index changes in the semiconductor core layer 115 due to the electro-optical effect, and as a result, the phase of light changes.
- the interference state of the light in the optical combiner 106 can be changed and the light can be modulated (that is, the output light of the output waveguide 102 can be turned on. , Off).
- Microwaves propagating through the coplanar strip lines 109 and 110 are applied to the waveguides 104 and 105 by the electrodes 111 and 112.
- the electrodes 111 and 112 and the coplanar strip lines 109 and 110 form a traveling wave electrode as a whole. That is, the modulation band is obtained by matching the speed of the light wave propagating in the waveguides 104 and 105 with the speed of the microwave propagating in the traveling wave type electrode as much as possible so as to achieve phase matching between the light wave and the microwave. It is an electrode structure intended to be raised. If there is no microwave loss and the velocity matching conditions of light wave and microwave are completely satisfied, the modulation band becomes infinite. However, in reality, microwave loss, reflection of microwaves due to impedance mismatch, and phase shift between light waves and microwaves occur, and the modulation band is limited for these reasons.
- the electrodes 111 and 112 add capacitance to the coplanar strip lines 109 and 110. That is, by optimally designing the number and spacing of the electrodes 111 and 112 and the contact length of the electrodes 111 and 112 to the waveguides 104 and 105, the amount of capacitance added to the coplanar strip lines 109 and 110 can be freely designed.
- the impedance and microwave velocity of the coplanar strip lines 109 and 110 can be designed to arbitrary values.
- two electrode pads 118 connected to the n-InP layer 113 (n-type semiconductor layer) for driving the modulator are installed in a portion separated from the coplanar strip lines 109 and 110 and the electrodes 111 and 112. Has been done.
- the two electrode pads 118 are arranged at the same positions in the extending directions of the waveguides 101, 102, 104, and 105.
- a voltage is applied to the n-type semiconductor layer via the electrode pad 118, but a voltage drop occurs due to the resistance of the n-type semiconductor layer, so that the power efficiency is improved. There was a problem that it was bad.
- the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and suppresses a voltage drop that occurs when a bias voltage for operation is applied to a lower conductive layer in a semiconductor Machzenda optical modulator having a capacitive loading structure.
- the purpose is.
- the semiconductor Machzenda optical modulator of the present invention is an input formed on an optical waveguide formed on a semi-insulating semiconductor substrate and at least one dielectric layer on the substrate, and a modulation signal is input to one end thereof.
- a side-drawing line, a phase-modulated electrode line formed on the dielectric layer along the optical waveguide and one end of which is connected to the other end of the input-side pull-out line, and a modulation signal propagating through the phase-modulated electrode line. Is intermittently formed along the extending direction of the optical waveguide so as to intersect the optical waveguide, the conductive layer formed between the substrate and the optical waveguide, and the electrode for applying the light to the optical waveguide.
- a second wiring formed so as to connect a plurality of first wiring layers connected to the conductive layer, an electrode pad for applying a voltage to the conductive layer, and the plurality of first wiring layers. It is characterized by having a layer.
- the first wiring layer is composed of any of an n-type semiconductor layer, a metal, and a structure in which a metal is formed on the n-type semiconductor layer.
- the second wiring layer is characterized in that it is made of metal.
- the first and second wiring layers are formed on the substrate side of the input side lead-out line and the phase modulation electrode line, respectively. It is characterized by.
- a plurality of the electrodes are periodically arranged along the extending direction of the optical waveguide, and among the plurality of first wiring layers, the phase is described.
- the first wiring layer formed in the region of the modulation electrode line is characterized in that it is arranged at the center position of two adjacent electrodes along the extending direction of the optical waveguide.
- one configuration example of the semiconductor Machzenda optical modulator of the present invention further includes an output side lead-out line formed on the dielectric layer and one end of which is connected to the other end of the phase modulation electrode line, and the optical waveguide is further provided.
- the input side lead-out line includes a first input-side lead-out line into which a modulation signal is input at one end and a first input-side lead-out line.
- the phase modulation electrode line is formed on the adjacent dielectric layer and is composed of a second input side lead-out line in which a signal complementary to the modulation signal is input to one end, and the phase modulation electrode line is the first on the dielectric layer.
- the output-side lead-out line comprises two first and second output-side lead-out lines whose one end is connected to the other ends of the first and second phase-modulated electrode lines, respectively. It consists of two first and second electrodes that apply a modulation signal propagating through the first and second phase modulation electrode lines to the first and second arm waveguides, respectively, and further extends the optical waveguide.
- a first ground line formed on the dielectric layer outside the first input-side lead-out line, the first phase-modulated electrode line, and the first output-side lead-out line along the direction.
- the IQ modulator of the present invention includes two semiconductor Machzenda optical modulators, and the input waveguide formed on the substrate and the light formed on the substrate and propagating through the input waveguide are transmitted.
- a first semiconductor Machzender optical modulation that receives an I-modulated signal as an input among the two semiconductor Machzenda optical modulators, which is provided with a duplexer that demultiplexes into two systems for input to the two semiconductor Machzenda optical modulators.
- the light modulator and the second semiconductor Machzender optical modulator that receives the Q modulation signal are arranged so that their respective optical waveguides are parallel to each other, and the second ground of the first semiconductor Machzenda optical modulator is provided.
- the line and the first ground line of the second semiconductor Machzender optical modulator adjacent thereto are integrally formed as a ground line common to these two semiconductor Machzenda optical modulators, and the second wiring layer. Is characterized in that the portion arranged along the extending direction of the optical waveguide is arranged below the center line of the common ground line. Further, in one configuration example of the IQ modulator of the present invention, from one electrode pad to the first wiring layer of each of the first and second semiconductor Machzenda optical modulators via the second wiring layer. It is characterized by being connected.
- each of the plurality of wiring layers is the second semiconductor Mach zender from the position of the lower layer of the first ground line of the first semiconductor Mach zender optical modulator.
- the distance from the second wiring layer to the end of the first semiconductor Machzenda optical modulator side and the distance from the second wiring layer to the position of the lower layer of the second ground line of the light modulator are formed.
- the second semiconductor Machzenda is characterized in that the distance to the end on the light modulator side is the same.
- a plurality of first wiring layers formed intermittently along the extending direction of the optical waveguide and connected to the conductive layer, and the electrode pad and the plurality of first wiring layers are connected to each other.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of an IQ modulator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a phase modulation section of the IQ modulator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the phase modulation section of the IQ modulator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ground line of the IQ modulator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of a portion of the ground line of the IQ modulator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the phase modulation section of the IQ modulator according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ground line of the IQ modulator according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the phase modulation section of the IQ modulator according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ground line of the IQ modulator according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10A is a plan view showing the configuration of a conventional semiconductor MZ modulator.
- FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional semiconductor MZ modulator.
- a wiring layer for applying a voltage is provided on the lower n-type semiconductor layer (conductive layer). Prepare more than one. Further, the connection wiring having a predetermined structure minimizes the influence on the RF (Radio Frequency) characteristics due to the existence of the wiring layer.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of an IQ modulator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a phase modulation portion of an IQ modulator composed of two semiconductor MZ modulators.
- the IQ modulator transmits the input waveguide 10, the 1 ⁇ 2 MMI coupler 11 that demultiplexes the light propagating in the input waveguide 10 into two systems, and the two light demultiplexed by the 1 ⁇ 2 MMI coupler 11.
- Input-side lead-out lines 20 and 21 (first and second), which are composed of waveguides 18 and 19 (first and second arm waveguides) and conductors for applying an I-modulated signal to the waveguides 16 and 17.
- Phase modulation electrode lines 24, 25 (first and second phase modulation electrode lines) made of conductors connected to, and phase modulation electrode lines 26, consisting of conductors connected to input side lead-out lines 22, 23, 27 (first and second phase-modulated electrode lines), output-side lead-out lines 28 and 29 (first and second output-side lead-out lines) composed of conductors connected to the phase-modulation electrode lines 24 and 25, and Output-side lead-out lines 30 and 31 (first and second output-side lead-out lines) composed of conductors connected to the phase-modulation electrode lines 26 and 27, and I-modulation signals supplied from the phase-modulation electrode lines 24 and 25.
- Conductors that apply the Q-modulated signals supplied from the phase-modulated electrode lines 26 and 27 and the electrodes 32 and 33 consisting of conductors applied to the waveguides 16 and 17 to the waveguides 18 and 19.
- the electrodes 34 and 35 are provided.
- the polarization multiplex IQ modulator is a phase adjusting electrode 36 to 39 composed of a conductor for adjusting the phase of the modulated signal light propagating in the waveguides 16 to 19, and propagating in the waveguides 16 and 17.
- the output light of the 2 ⁇ 1 MMI coupler 40 that combines the signal light of the system, the 2 ⁇ 1 MMI coupler 41 that combines the signal light of the two systems propagating through the waveguides 18 and 19, and the output light of the 2 ⁇ 1 MMI coupler 40 are waveguideed.
- the waveguide 42, the waveguide 43 for waveguideing the output light of the 2 ⁇ 1 MMI coupler 41, and the phase adjusting electrodes 44, 45 composed of a conductor for adjusting the phase of the signal light propagating through the waveguides 42, 43.
- a ground line 48 composed of conductors arranged on the outside, an input side lead-out line 21, a phase-modulated electrode line 25 and an output-side lead-out line 29 and an input-side lead-out line 22, a phase-modulated electrode line 26 and an output-side lead-out line 30.
- a ground line 49 composed of conductors arranged between the two, a ground line 50 composed of conductors arranged outside the input side lead-out line 23, the phase modulation electrode line 27, and the output side lead-out line 31, and the output side. It includes termination resistors 51 to 54 connected to the ends of the lead lines 28 to 31, and an electrode pad 55 for applying a voltage to the lower n-type semiconductor layer.
- the high-frequency line of the IQ modulator of this embodiment is formed of three parts: an input side lead-out line 20 to 23, a phase modulation electrode line 24 to 27, and an output side lead-out line 28 to 31. , It has a differential line structure (GSSG configuration) with balanced impedance in all parts. If impedance matching is not achieved, signal reflection will occur at the connection points of the high frequency line, causing deterioration of high frequency characteristics.
- GSSG configuration differential line structure
- the modulator can be driven by a differential input signal (differential driver) having high energy efficiency. Further, in this embodiment, since the high-frequency line has a differential line configuration, smooth high-frequency connection is also made with an open collector type or open drain type differential driver that has been used from the viewpoint of reducing power consumption in recent years. Can be realized, and both low power consumption and wide bandwidth can be achieved at the same time.
- the high-frequency line pattern of this embodiment is a GSSG (ground signal signal ground) composed of two signal lines and two ground lines formed on a dielectric layer made of a low dielectric constant material.
- the basic structure is a differential coplanar line.
- a semiconductor MZ modulator that receives an I-modulated signal as an input and a semiconductor MZ modulator that receives a Q-modulated signal as an input are arranged side by side on a substrate so that their waveguides are parallel to each other. ing.
- the central ground line 49 is shared by the high frequency line pattern of the semiconductor MZ modulator on the I modulation signal side and the high frequency line pattern of the semiconductor MZ modulator on the Q modulation signal side. That is, the ground line of the semiconductor MZ modulator on the I-modulated signal side and the ground line of the semiconductor MZ modulator on the Q-modulated signal side adjacent thereto are integrated as a ground line common to these two semiconductor MZ optical modulators. It is formed.
- An I-modulated signal is input to the input-side lead-out line 20 from a differential driver (not shown) formed on an SI-InP substrate, which will be described later, and a complementary I-modulated signal (bar I) is input from the differential driver. It is input to the input side lead-out line 21.
- a Q-modulated signal is input to the input-side lead-out line 22 from the differential driver, and a complementary Q-modulation signal (bar Q) is input to the input-side lead-out line 23 from the differential driver.
- phase modulation electrode lines 24 to 27 are arranged in parallel with the waveguides 16 to 19 constituting the semiconductor MZ modulator.
- the phase modulation electrode lines 24 to 27 and the electrodes 32 to 35 connected to the phase modulation electrode lines 24 to 27 have a differential capacitance loading type structure (GSSG configuration) excellent in impedance matching and speed matching between microwaves and light waves.
- the supplied electrode 34, the electrode 35 to which a signal (bar Q) complementary to the Q modulation signal is input, the phase modulation electrode line 27 to supply the signal to the electrode 35, and the ground line 50 are arranged side by side. There is.
- the phase modulation electrode lines 24 to 27 By optimally designing the number, spacing, and length of the capacitively loaded electrodes 32 to 35 that are periodically formed by branching from the phase modulation electrode lines 24 to 27, which are the main lines, the phase modulation electrode lines 24 to Since the amount of capacitance added to 27 can be freely designed, the impedance of the phase modulation electrode lines 24 to 27 and the velocity of the microwave propagating through the phase modulation electrode lines 24 to 27 can be designed to arbitrary values. ..
- the input side lead-out lines 20 to 23 may have a GSSG configuration or a GSGSG configuration (with respect to the GSSG configuration, there is a ground line between the input-side lead-out lines 20 and 21 and between the input-side lead-out lines 22 and 23. Configuration) may be used.
- the differential capacitance loading type structure of the phase modulation unit often has a GSSG configuration, and since the GSSG configuration is also adopted in this embodiment, the input side lead-out lines 20 to 23 and the output side lead-out lines 28 to 28 to 31 is also a high frequency line having a GSSG configuration.
- the reason why the input side lead-out lines 20 to 23 and the output side lead-out lines 28 to 31 have the same GSSG configuration as the phase modulator is that the GSGSG configuration is changed to the GSSG configuration or the GSSG configuration is changed to the GSSGSG configuration. This is because there is concern about loss and deterioration of characteristics due to the mode change. If the phase modulation unit has a GSGSG configuration, it is desirable that the input side lead-out lines 20 to 23 and the output side lead-out lines 28 to 31 have a GSGSG configuration.
- Each end of the output side lead-out lines 28 to 31 is terminated by high frequency terminating resistors 51 to 54.
- the ends of the high-frequency terminating resistors 51 to 54 that are not connected to the output side lead-out lines 28 to 31 are grounded or set to an arbitrary potential.
- One end (the left end in FIG. 1) of the ground lines 48 to 50 is connected to the ground of the differential driver.
- the 1 ⁇ 2 MMI coupler 14, the waveguides 16 and 17, the input side lead lines 20 and 21, the phase modulation electrode lines 24 and 25, the output side lead lines 28 and 29, the electrodes 32, 33 and the 2 ⁇ 1 MMI coupler 40 are I. It constitutes a semiconductor MZ modulator on the side. This semiconductor MZ modulator phase-modulates the light propagating in the waveguides 16 and 17 according to the I modulation signal applied from the electrodes 32 and 33 to the waveguides 16 and 17.
- the 1 ⁇ 2 MMI coupler 15 the waveguides 18, 19, the input side lead-out lines 22, 23, the phase modulation electrode lines 26, 27, the output side lead-out lines 30, 31, the electrodes 34, 35, and the 2 ⁇ 1 MMI coupler 41.
- the 2 ⁇ 1 MMI coupler 40 combines the modulated signal light propagating in the waveguides 16 and 17, and the 2 ⁇ 1 MMI coupler 41 combines the modulated signal light propagating in the waveguides 18 and 19.
- the phase difference between the signal light on the I side output from the 2 ⁇ 1 MMI coupler 40 and the signal light on the Q side output from the 2 ⁇ 1 MMI coupler 41 becomes 90 degrees. It is possible to adjust the phase so as to be.
- the 2 ⁇ 1 MMI coupler 46 obtains an optical IQ modulated signal by combining the signal light on the I side propagating in the waveguide 42 and the signal light on the Q side propagating in the waveguide 43.
- the IQ modulator can be realized.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a phase modulation section (a region having electrodes 32 to 35 and phase modulation electrode lines 24 to 27) of the IQ modulator of this embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa'of FIG. ..
- T-shaped electrodes 32 to 35 in a plan view branched from the phase modulation electrode lines 24 to 27 (main line) formed on the dielectric layer are formed on the waveguides 16 to 19 and guided. It has a differential capacitance loading type structure in which a modulation signal is applied to the waveguides 16 to 19.
- the waveguides 16 to 19 of the phase modulation unit are formed on the SI-InP substrate 64 in order of an n-type semiconductor layer (for example, a quaternary layer such as n-InP or n-InGaAsP) 60, a lower clad layer 61 made of a semiconductor, and a semiconductor core.
- the layer 62 and the upper clad layer 63 are laminated to form a waveguide structure.
- the input side lead-out lines 20 to 23, the phase modulation electrode lines 24 to 27, the output side lead-out lines 28 to 31, and the ground line 48 to 50 are formed on the dielectric layer 65.
- the dielectric layer 65 is made of a low dielectric material such as benzocyclobutene (BCB).
- One of the upper clad layer 63 and the lower clad layer 61 may be an n-type semiconductor and the other may be a p-type semiconductor. Further, both the upper clad layer 63 and the lower clad layer 61 are n-type semiconductors, and a third is formed between the upper clad layer 63 and the semiconductor core layer 62, or between the lower clad layer 61 and the semiconductor core layer 62. It is also possible to take a structure in which a p-type clad layer is inserted.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the phase modulation section of the IQ modulator of this embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb'of FIG.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ground line 49 of the IQ modulator of this embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line dd'of FIG.
- one electrode pad 118 for applying a voltage to the n-type semiconductor layer under the electrode 111 is provided, and the voltage is applied to the n-type semiconductor layer under the electrode 112.
- One electrode pad 118 for applying is provided. In this way, when a voltage is applied to the n-type semiconductor layer from only one location, a voltage drop occurs at a location far from the electrode pad 118, and the voltage becomes smaller than the bias voltage applied to the electrode pad 118. The desired phase modulation effect cannot be obtained in the phase modulation section.
- the semiconductor core layer 62 functions as an optical waveguide layer and is made of a material such as InGaAsP or InGaAlAs.
- the semiconductor core layer 62 may be composed of a bulk layer of a quaternary mixed crystal having a single composition or a multiple quantum well layer. Further, the semiconductor core layer 62 has a structure in which a light confinement layer having a bandgap larger than that of the multiple quantum well layer and a bandgap smaller than that of the lower clad layer 61 and the upper clad layer 63 is formed above and below the multiple quantum well layer. May be.
- the present invention can be applied to a semiconductor Machzenda optical modulator that modulates an optical signal with an electric signal.
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Abstract
Description
図10A、図10Bにおいて、101は半導体MZ光変調器の入力導波路、102は出力導波路、103は入力導波路101を伝搬する光波を2つの導波路104,105に分波する光分波器、106は2つの導波路104,105を伝搬する光波を出力導波路102へと合波する光合波器,109,110はコプレーナストリップ線路、111,112は導波路104,105に電圧を印加するための電極、118は下層のn型半導体層と接続された電極パッドである。
また、本発明の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器の1構成例において、前記第1、第2の配線層は、前記入力側引き出し線路と前記位相変調電極線路のそれぞれよりも基板側に形成されていることを特徴とするものである。
また、本発明の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器の1構成例において、前記電極は、前記光導波路の延伸方向に沿って周期的に複数配設され、前記複数の第1の配線層のうち、前記位相変調電極線路の領域に形成される第1の配線層は、前記光導波路の延伸方向に沿って隣り合う2つの電極の中心の位置に配置されることを特徴とするものである。
また、本発明のIQ変調器の1構成例は、1つの電極パッドから前記第2の配線層を介して前記第1、第2の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器のそれぞれの前記第1の配線層に接続されることを特徴とするものである。
また、本発明のIQ変調器の1構成例において、前記複数の配線層のそれぞれは、前記第1の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器の前記第1のグランド線路の下層の位置から前記第2の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器の前記第2のグランド線路の下層の位置まで形成され、前記第2の配線層から前記第1の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器側の端部までの距離と前記第2の配線層から前記第2の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器側の端部までの距離とが同一であることを特徴とするものである。
本発明では、容量装荷型の半導体MZ変調器を動作させるために必要なバイアス電圧の上昇を抑圧するために、下層のn型半導体層(導電層)に、電圧を印加するための配線層を複数用意する。さらに、所定の構造の接続配線とすることで、配線層が存在することによるRF(Radio Frequency)特性への影響を最小化する。
以下、本発明の実施例について図面を参照して説明する。図1は本発明の第1の実施例に係るIQ変調器の構成を示す平面図である。図1では、2つの半導体MZ変調器からなるIQ変調器の位相変調部分を図示している。
グランド線路48~50の一端(図1の左端部)は、差動ドライバのグランドと接続されている。
次に、本発明の第2の実施例について説明する。第1の実施例では、図1に示した領域70にn型半導体層60aを形成したが、n型半導体層60aの代わりに金属層を形成してもよい。本実施例においても、IQ変調器の平面図は図1に示したとおりである。
次に、本発明の第3の実施例について説明する。第1の実施例では、図1に示した領域70にn型半導体層60aを形成したが、n型半導体層60aの上にさらに金属層を形成してもよい。本実施例においても、IQ変調器の平面図は図1に示したとおりである。
Claims (8)
- 半絶縁性半導体基板上に形成された光導波路と、
前記基板上の少なくとも1層の誘電体層の上に形成され、一端に変調信号が入力される入力側引き出し線路と、
前記誘電体層上に前記光導波路に沿って形成され、一端が前記入力側引き出し線路の他端と接続された位相変調電極線路と、
前記位相変調電極線路を伝搬する変調信号を前記光導波路に印加する電極と、
前記基板と前記光導波路との間に形成された導電層と、
前記光導波路と交差するように前記光導波路の延伸方向に沿って断続的に形成され、前記導電層と接続された複数の第1の配線層と、
前記導電層に電圧を印加するための電極パッドと前記複数の第1の配線層とを接続するように形成された第2の配線層とを備えることを特徴とする半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器。 - 請求項1記載の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器において、
前記第1の配線層は、n型半導体層、金属、n型半導体層の上に金属が形成された構造のいずれかからなり、
前記第2の配線層は、金属からなることを特徴とする半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器。 - 請求項1または2記載の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器において、
前記第1、第2の配線層は、前記入力側引き出し線路と前記位相変調電極線路のそれぞれよりも基板側に形成されていることを特徴とする半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器。 - 請求項1乃至3のいずれか1項に記載の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器において、
前記電極は、前記光導波路の延伸方向に沿って周期的に複数配設され、
前記複数の第1の配線層のうち、前記位相変調電極線路の領域に形成される第1の配線層は、前記光導波路の延伸方向に沿って隣り合う2つの電極の中心の位置に配置されることを特徴とする半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器。 - 請求項1乃至4のいずれか1項に記載の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器において、
前記誘電体層上に形成され、一端が前記位相変調電極線路の他端と接続された出力側引き出し線路をさらに備え、
前記光導波路は、2本の第1、第2のアーム導波路からなり、
前記入力側引き出し線路は、一端に変調信号が入力される第1の入力側引き出し線路と、この第1の入力側引き出し線路の隣の前記誘電体層上に形成され、一端に前記変調信号と相補な信号が入力される第2の入力側引き出し線路とからなり、
前記位相変調電極線路は、前記誘電体層上に前記第1、第2のアーム導波路に沿って形成され、一端が前記第1、第2の入力側引き出し線路の他端とそれぞれ接続された2本の第1、第2の位相変調電極線路からなり、
前記出力側引き出し線路は、一端が前記第1、第2の位相変調電極線路の他端とそれぞれ接続された2本の第1、第2の出力側引き出し線路からなり、
前記電極は、前記第1、第2の位相変調電極線路を伝搬する変調信号をそれぞれ前記第1、第2のアーム導波路に印加する2個の第1、第2の電極からなり、
さらに、前記光導波路の延伸方向に沿って前記第1の入力側引き出し線路と前記第1の位相変調電極線路と前記第1の出力側引き出し線路との外側の前記誘電体層上に形成された第1のグランド線路と、
前記光導波路の延伸方向に沿って前記第2の入力側引き出し線路と前記第2の位相変調電極線路と前記第2の出力側引き出し線路との外側の前記誘電体層上に形成された第2のグランド線路とを備えることを特徴とする半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器。 - 請求項5記載の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器を2つ備えると共に、
前記基板上に形成された入力導波路と、
前記基板上に形成され、前記入力導波路を伝搬する光を前記2つの半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器への入力用に2系統に分波する分波器とを備え、
前記2つの半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器のうち、I変調信号を入力とする第1の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器とQ変調信号を入力とする第2の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器とは、それぞれの前記光導波路が互いに平行になるように配置され、
前記第1の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器の前記第2のグランド線路とこれに隣接する前記第2の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器の前記第1のグランド線路とは、これら2つの半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器に共通のグランド線路として一体で形成され、
前記第2の配線層は、前記光導波路の延伸方向に沿って配置されている部分が、前記共通のグランド線路の中心線下に配置されていることを特徴とするIQ変調器。 - 請求項6記載のIQ変調器において、
1つの電極パッドから前記第2の配線層を介して前記第1、第2の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器のそれぞれの前記第1の配線層に接続されることを特徴とするIQ変調器。 - 請求項6または7記載のIQ変調器において、
前記複数の配線層のそれぞれは、前記第1の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器の前記第1のグランド線路の下層の位置から前記第2の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器の前記第2のグランド線路の下層の位置まで形成され、前記第2の配線層から前記第1の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器側の端部までの距離と前記第2の配線層から前記第2の半導体マッハツェンダ光変調器側の端部までの距離とが同一であることを特徴とするIQ変調器。
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