Optimization of electro-optic modulator electrodes with one-third increase in modulation efficiency

Abstract Nowadays, reducing the power, improving the performance, and shrinking the area become the most important goals of silicon-based optical integrated devices. For electro-optic (EO) modulators, electrodes have a direct impact on all three targets, and they are not independent of each other. Here we have simulated the electric and optical fields distribution of EO modulator. Investigation on the widely employed traditional vertical electrode reveals a trade-off relationship on modulation efficiency and transmission loss. For better performance, we propose an enclosed electrode structure that can effectively enhance modulation efficiency without compromising transmission loss. Through further optimization, the maximum efficiency can be increased by one-third, providing a theoretical basis for enhancing the integration level of silicon-based optical integrated modulator devices.