Super-linear optical modulator technologies for optical broadband access network: development and potential

Linearized optical intensity modulator is recognized as one of the building blocks in any analog fiber-optics links systems such as subcarrier multiplexing (SCM) systems, ultra-dense CATV, Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) communications, and other platform access systems. For more than 30 years, the quest for highly linearized optical modulator with SFDR > 130 dB-Hz^2/3 represents a major, on-going technology goal. This invited paper has three-fold objective namely: (1) provide comprehensive overview of the numerous existing linearized optical intensity modulators, (2) introduce a classification of these linearized modulators, and (3) present recent development of new, super-linear (SFDR = 130-140 dB-Hz^2/3) modulator which the authors pioneered. Other features of this new modulator are simple setup, high tolerance and low-cost. Performance results are presented via numerical simulation, its potential applications and limitations are also discussed.