Investigation Of Velocity And Impedance Matching For The Electro-Optic Modulator

Based on Wheeler's transformation of multilayer microstrip line, velocity and impedance matching have been analyzed for polymer electro-optic (EO) modulator. Due to the advantages of polymer materials, velocity-matching and impedance-matching can be simultaneously achieved by optimized design for multilayer microstrip electrode. A modified modulator structure has been introduced with a compensation layer placed on the electrode to adjust the microwave index and characteristic impedance. The optimal thicknesses of electrode and compensation layer, and optimal width of electrode can make the EO modulator achieve both velocity matching and impedance matching. (C) 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). [DOI: 10.1117/1.3559212]