Implementations are directed to configurable intensity-modulation direct-detection (IM-DD) optical transceivers that are configurable between single-polarization (SP) operation and dual-polarization (DP) operation.

An optical network component and method are herein described. The system and method include determining a first power of an optical modulator using a first photodetector and a second power of the transmitter using a second photodetector, determining a contrast ratio based on the first power and the second power, and determining a modulation loss based on the contrast ratio.

Methods and apparatus for providing spectrally beam-combined fiber-based transmitters and/or receivers for laser communications, LiDAR, and similar devices. A transmitter can include a launch array configured to spatially position each output beam of pulsed lasers, a transform optical component to correct deflection of the output beams of the pulsed lasers from the launch array, and a dispersive optical element to combine beams from the transform optical element and generate a spectrally combined beam. A receiver can include spectral comb filters to spectrally discriminate multi-wavelength detected signals from background illumination.

An automatic bias control circuit for an optical modulator using nested MZIs includes: a parent MZI control bias voltage generator that generates a parent MZI control bias voltage; a photodetector that converts tapped output light from the optical modulator into an electrical signal; a low-frequency cut-off circuit that suppresses modulation components that are slower than a first frequency, included in the electrical signal; and a control unit that controls the parent MZI control bias voltage generator on the basis of an electrical signal in which the slower modulation components have been suppressed. The control unit controls the parent MZI control bias voltage generator so as to minimize the effective value or the peak value of the electrical signal in which the slower modulation components have been suppressed.

The invention provides an optical system and method for outputting a modulated signal comprising a single multimode interference (MMI) device having at least two inputs configured with a fixed phase and an output, wherein the output modulated signal is controlled by modulating the input power of at 5 least one of the inputs. The invention only requires a single MMI device to operate as the relative phase between the two inputs are fixed relative each other and one of the inputs can be used to modulate the output by modulating the power at a single input. In further embodiments, the invention shows how correct phases can be set by a single MMI device. Thus, no more than two 10 MMIs are required in conjunction with phase or amplitude modulating elements to fully generate a BPSK or QPSK signal.

An apparatus includes a laser, an optical power combiner, and an electronic controller. The laser has a plurality of modulatable optical reflectors and is operable to emit mutually coherent optical beams from the modulatable optical reflectors. The optical power combiner has a first optical inputs connected to receive light of one of the optical beams emitted from a first of the modulatable optical reflectors and has a second optical input connected to receive light of one of the optical beams emitted from a second of the modulatable optical reflectors. The electronic controller is connected to operate the first and second of the modulatable optical reflectors to modulate the optical beams emitted therefrom to carry respective first and second data streams. The optical power combiner is connected to interfere the light received from the first and second of the modulatable optical reflectors with a relative phase difference.

An aspect of the disclosure provides an optical device including a microring resonator (MRR).

An automatic bias control circuit for an optical modulator using nested MZIs includes: a parent MZI control bias voltage generator that generates a parent MZI control bias voltage; a photodetector that converts tapped output light from the optical modulator into an electrical signal; a low-frequency cut-off circuit that suppresses modulation components that are slower than a first frequency, included in the electrical signal; and a control unit that controls the parent MZI control bias voltage generator on the basis of an electrical signal in which the slower modulation components have been suppressed. The control unit controls the parent MZI control bias voltage generator so as to minimize the effective value or the peak value of the electrical signal in which the slower modulation components have been suppressed.

A driving circuit includes a plurality of differential amplifier circuits each electrically connected to a power supply line. Each differential amplifier circuit includes a differential pair circuit and a series resistance circuit. In the differential pair circuit, a first transistor and a second transistor are electrically connected to the power supply line through a first load resistor and a second load resistor, respectively. A center node is electrically connected between the first transistor and the second transistor. Each differential amplifier circuit generates a differential output signal in accordance with a differential incoming signal. The series resistance circuit includes a resistor and a line element. The line element includes a signal line which extends straight with a distance between the signal line and a ground line extending in parallel thereto. The resistor and the line element are connected in series between the center node and a static potential line.

An aspect of the disclosure provides an optical device including a microring resonator (MRR).