Exploitation of an electrical ring resonator integrated into a Mach-Zehnder-modulator for optical signal processing

Abstract:
A new configuration of an electrical ring resonator is introduced for RF and microwave optical signal processing. It is a part of a Mach-Zehnder´s (MZM) modulation waveguide. Since the circulating electrical signal is sensed via the electrooptical effect the losses of the resonator can be kept low. Due to a low impedance coupling to the electrical ring it allows a deep notch at DC in the overall frequency response. This property also allows to extend the application of an optical ring resonator with incoherent light signals. An equivalent circuit diagram for the electrical ring is proposed which eases the calculation. Experimental and calculated results are compared and give proof of the anticipated frequency response.