A hybrid strip-loaded EO polymer/sol-gel modulator in which the sol-gel core waveguide does not lie below the active EO polymer waveguide increases the higher electric field/optical field overlap factor Γ and reduces inter-electrode separation d thereby lowering the modulator's half-wave drive voltage Vπ, reducing insertion loss and improving extinction. The strip-loaded modulator comprises an EO polymer layer that eliminates optical scattering caused by sidewall roughness due to etching. Light does not encounter rough edges as it transitions to and from the sol-gel and EO polymer waveguides. This reduces insertion loss.
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