Multi-Octave, High Dynamic Range Operation of Low-Biased Modulators by BalancedDetection

摘要

An optical link is disclosed that is operated by a balanced detection techniqueso as to extend its linear dynamic range, yet substantially eliminate even-order harmonic distortion of the modulated signal. The modulator comprises two parallel arranged Mach Zehnder interferometers that respectively have a steady state DC voltage bias applied so that the operating points of the Mach Zehnder interferometers are selected to produce two separate modulated signals, one of which is later phase shifted by a phase shift device so as to provide an output that is combined with the other modulated signal in such a manner so as to cause a subtraction, leaving the final output signal substantially free of any unwanted even order harmonic components in order to provide for a multioctave response characteristic.