InP-based Mach Zehnder modulators for next-generation systems

We realized high-speed and low driving voltage InP-based Mach Zehnder modulators with an npin high-mesa waveguide structure and traveling-wave electrodes. A full C-band 40-Gbit/s DPSK signal was successfully generated using a compact tunable wavelength transmitter module, which incorporated a tunable DFB laser array as a wavelength tunable laser and an InP MZM in one package. The MZM had a low driving voltage of 3 V pp in a push-pull driving configuration. We have demonstrated 112 Gbit/s RZ-DP-QPSK modulation using two InP MZM modules. One modulator was used as a pulse carver in a push-pull configuration, and the other was used as an IQ modulator in a dual-drive configuration. Since we used an RZ pulse carver to remove the transient region, we obtained clear eye openings without any amplitude ripple. We also demonstrated 50 Gbit/s (12.5 GSymbol/s x 4) 16QAM signal generation employing a novel dual-drive modulation method consisting of a single MZM. We utilized the electro-absorption characteristics of an InP semiconductor to adjust the QPSK amplitude. We confirmed that a single MZM operated as a DPSK, a QPSK, and a 16QAM modulator with the same device. We believe these modulators to be suitable for next generation optical transmission systems.