Fiber 

Optics

Introduction to iXBlue Mach-Zehnder Modulators Bias

Controllers

This application note aims to give intensity modulators users the basics to select and apply the
proper RF and bias voltages to their device.

Introduction :

Waveguide type LiNbO3 Mach-Zehnder optical modulators offers multiple benefits for the
modulation of light :

 high modulation speed capabilities (several x10 GHz)

 compactness
 reliability
 environmental robustness

They have been widely used in the telecom industry for nearly two decades (several x 100 000
LiNbO3 intensity modulators are operating in the fiber optics networks all over the world), and they
are also used in an increasing number of photonics applications such as :

 fiber optics sensors

 fiber lasers systems
 measurement equipment
 RF over fiber….
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Principle – Transfer function :

Waveguide LiNbO3 Intensity modulators are Mach-Zehnder type interferometers: an input

waveguide is split into two paths that are then recombined into an output waveguide. The two paths
make up the two arms of the interferometer and the optical index modulation induced on each of
them creates the intensity modulation at the output of the device.

Schematic view of a LiNb03 intensity modulator chip

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The optical index modulation is induced by an electric field into the electro-optic material, and the
electrical field is obtained by applying a voltage between electrodes. There are generally two pairs
of electrodes: modulation electrodes (often called RF electrodes) and DC electrodes (also called
bias electrodes)

The transfer function of an intensity modulator driven by a time dependent voltage V(t) is :

𝐼𝐼𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝜋𝜋
𝐼𝐼𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 (𝑡𝑡) = 𝑇𝑇𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 [1 + 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑐 𝑉𝑉(𝑡𝑡) − 𝜙𝜙𝜙]
2 𝑉𝑉𝜋𝜋

with :

 Iout : Output intensity

 Iin: Input intensity
 Tmod : optical transmission of the device
 V: half-wave voltage of the modulator
 : phase term
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Transfer function of a LiNb03 intensity Mach-Zehnder modulator

Theory and reality :

The intensity modulators are designed to have equal arms and thus balanced optical paths. In
theory, the phase term should be zero. However, there is always a small difference between the
two optical paths due to material inhomogeneity, manufacturing tolerances…This imbalance
explains the phase term in the modulator function transfer.

In order to operate the intensity modulator and obtain the desired light modulation, one must apply
two well suited electrical voltages to the modulator: a modulation voltage V(t) ( also called RF
voltage) and a DC voltage (also called bias voltage).

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Laser Components (UK) Ltd.
Tel: +44 1245 491 499
Fax: +44 1245 491 801
[email protected]
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Operating point :

The modulator operating point is the point on the transfer curve around which the modulation signal
is applied. It has to be selected depending on the targeted application. We can give the following
examples:

Digital communication, Digital communication,

NRZ modulation format QUAD DPSK modulation format MIN
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Analog modulation QUAD Pulse generation MIN

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Laser Components (UK) Ltd.
Tel: +44 1245 491 499
Fax: +44 1245 491 801
[email protected]
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Optics

Why bias voltage ?

As mentioned above, the Mach-Zehder interferometer is not perfectly balanced. Moreover it is

subject to drift caused by thermal changes, thermal inhomogeneity, aging, photo refractive effects,
static electrical charge accumulation… This drift causes the transfer function to move in the
horizontal direction ; the modulation signal is then applied to a changing operating point, that can
modify strongly the obtained modulation.

The bias voltage applied to the DC electrodes aims to :

 selecting the desired operating point of the modulator

 compensating for the possible modulator drift and locking the device operating point so as to
keep stable operation conditions

The bias voltage can be supplied by a simple voltage source and manually adjusted so as the
desired operating point is reached. In such conditions, the voltage will have to be readjusted
manually in case of drift of the modulator. This may be workable in laboratory with low drift
modulators and stable environmental conditions

However, for a long term operation and especially in all systems having to operate over
changing temperature conditions, an automatic bias control circuit is necessary so as to
permanently supply the right DC voltage and to lock the selected operating point.
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A drift of the modulator transfer function results in a change of the optical modulated signal if the bias
voltage is not adjusted accordingly. In the example above, the curve has drifted and the optical modulated
signal is seriously affected in both amplitude and frequency if the bias voltage is not corrected.

iXBlue offers a choice of MBC (Modulator Bias controller) solutions : bench-top instrument MBC-
DG-BT, board MBC-DG-board that can lock the operating point of Mach-Zehnder modulators for
most of the applications.

United Kingdom
Laser Components (UK) Ltd.
Tel: +44 1245 491 499
Fax: +44 1245 491 801
[email protected]
www.lasercomponents.co.uk
 Fiber 
Optics

Left : MBC-DG-BT bench top bias controller

Right : MBC-DG-board OEM bias control board

Modulation Signal :

Once the operating point is selected, and the proper bias voltage applied, one can apply the
modulation signal to the modulation electrodes.

Here again, the peak-to-peak amplitude of the modulation signal has to be chosen depending on
the targeted application. Examples:

Digital communication, NRZ modulation format V

Digital communication, DPSK modulation format 2 x V
Analog modulation < V
Pulse generation
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V

The typical Vfor an intensity modulator is 5 V. It is often higher than the peak-to-peak voltage
delivered by RF generators or telecom multiplexers. As a consequence, it is often necessary to
amplify the electrical signals so as to get modulation signals compatible with the modulators
specifications (V). This is achieved by amplifier modules, often called modulator drivers.

iXBlue offers a choice of modulator drivers that cover most of the applications : analog, digital,
pulse modulation regimes, single or double Vmodulation, 10 GHz/ 10 Gb/s up to 40 GHz/ 40 Gb/s

United Kingdom
Laser Components (UK) Ltd.
Tel: +44 1245 491 499
Fax: +44 1245 491 801
[email protected]
www.lasercomponents.co.uk
 Fiber 
Optics

Typical set-up for digital NRZ modulation

01/17 / V01 / IF / lc/applikationsreport/ixblue/introduction-to-modulator-bias-controllers

Typical set-up for pulse modulation

United Kingdom
Laser Components (UK) Ltd.
Tel: +44 1245 491 499
Fax: +44 1245 491 801
[email protected]
www.lasercomponents.co.uk