Dual rf-optical slot waveguide for ultrabroadband modulation with a subvolt Vπ.

In this letter, we propose a high speed and ultralow driving voltage traveling wave electro-optic (EO) modulator based on a dual horizontal slot waveguide. The proposed design harnesses the unique properties of ferroelectric materials such as LiNBO₃ and exotic, organic EO polymers to tightly confine both the optical and rf modes in a nanoscale slot maximizing the nonlinear interaction with the electric field. Larger electrode separation allows for significant reduction in rf propagation loss. Simulations of the half-wavelength voltage-length product and electro-optic response of the proposed device reveal ultrabroadband operation, up to 250 GHz, and subvolt driving voltage for a 1 cm long modulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]