Electro-Optic Frequency Response Shaping using Embedded FIR Filters in Slow-Wave Modulators

A novel method is presented to embed finite-impulse-response filters in slow-wave Mach-Zehnder modulators. This allows to adjust the electro-optic frequency response to the designer's needs. The filter is embedded by adding optical delay lines and optical crossings between phase shifter segments. The position of the delay lines and crossing in the modulator and the delay line length determine the final response. In this work, we provide a full analysis and modeling approach of the proposed technique and apply it to a silicon photonic modulator. However, the technique is generally applicable to slow-wave modulators and thus not limited to a silicon photonics platform. The modeling is verified using measurements on the manufactured devices. A shaped modulator is used in C-band transmission experiments with 56 Gb/s NRZ data over 3 km fiber to counteract chromatic dispersion and show the advantage over a standard modulator.