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Abstract

An optical modulator receives both an optical channel signal and at least one electrical driving voltage signal, and generates an optical output channel signal which is polarization independent. The optical modulator includes at least three electrodes, and first and second lithium niobate optical waveguides interspersed between the electrodes. At least one electrode receives the driving voltage signal to provide a travelling wave therealong. The first optical waveguide receives the optical channel signal, and the second optical waveguide provides the optical output channel signal. A cross splice/delay line interconnects the second end of the first optical waveguide to the first end of the second optical waveguide with polarization maintaining optical fibers, respectively, for introducing a predetermined rotation of TE and TM modes. As a result, polarization components at the second end of the second optical waveguide experience a same amount of phase modulation. In one embodiment, the modulator includes three electrodes which are placed in alternating form with the first and second optical waveguides. In a second embodiment, the modulator includes five electrodes, and the first and second optical waveguides are divided into two parallel branches which are positioned between a separate pair of the five electrodes.

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