Performance of Different Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) Structures for Optical Modulator

Abstract

An optical modulator is a device that electrically controls the output phase and the output amplitude of the optical signal. This paper analyzes the performance of different structures of the MZI as an optical modulator. This project compares the performance of Y-coupler and MMI coupler as Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) modulator on the SiliconOn-Insulator (SOI). This project used OptiBPM software and OptiSys for designing the structures and performance analysis. The performance has been analyzed based on the insertion loss, extinction ratio, phase shift and modulation efficiency. MMIcoupler design shows better performance with reduced insertion loss and better modulation efficiency of 2.53% and 17% respectively than that of the Y-coupler. Furthermore, the extinction ratio and phase shift of MMI coupler show an increment about 8.35% and 7.96% respectively when analyzed as the optical modulator. Therefore, the MMI coupler as MZI modulator exhibits better performance than the Y-coupler.