Photonic Integrated Multichannel WDM Modulators for Data Read-Out Units

This study presents the recently developed monolithic photonic-integrated circuits that provide efficient amplitude modulation for wavelength division multiplexed optical channels. The circuits were designed for application as a read-out unit in a high-energy physics experiment, and are sufficiently general to be applied in various types of high-speed photonic transmitters. They were constructed using basic building blocks provided in an indium phosphide-based generic integration technology process and fabricated in a multi-project wafer run. Two variants of the circuits, utilizing modulators in Mach-Zehnder and Michelson interferometer configuration, are discussed. A modulation bandwidth of 18.6 GHz was measured and error-free transmission of a 10-Gb/s signal through 85 km of optical fiber was achieved.