Models - Woptics.mach Zehnder Modulator

Created in COMSOL Multiphysics 6.
Mach–Zehnder Modulator
This model is licensed under the COMSOL Software License Agreement 6.2.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. See www.comsol.com/trademarks.
Introduction
Optical modulators are used for electrically controlling the output amplitude or the phase
of the light wave passing through the device. To reduce the device size and the driving
voltage, waveguide-based modulators are used for communication applications.
To control the optical properties with an external electric signal, the electro-optic effect,
or Pockels effect, is used, where the birefringence of the crystal changes proportionally to
the applied electric field. A refractive index change results in a change of the phase of the
wave passing through the crystal. If you combine two waves with different phase change,
you can interferometrically get an amplitude modulation.
The device in Figure 1 is a Mach–Zehnder modulator. The input wave is launched into a
directional coupler. The power of the input is split equally into the two output waveguides
of the first directional coupler. Those two waveguides form the two arms of a Mach–
Zehnder interferometer. On one of the arms, you can apply an electric field to modify the
refractive index in the material and, thus, modify the phase for the wave propagating
through that arm. The two waves are then combined into another 50/50 directional
coupler. By changing the applied voltage you can continuously control the amount of light
exiting from the two output waveguides.
V0
In Out1
Out2
50/50 Mach–Zehnder 50/50

directional interferometer directional
coupler coupler
Figure 1: Schematic drawing of the Mach–Zehnder modulator.
A common material for fabricating waveguide modulators is lithium niobate, LiNbO3.

Lithium niobate is a ferroelectric crystal that exhibits uniaxial birefringence. Waveguide
structures can be fabricated by either indiffusion of Ti into the core regions or by annealed
proton exchange, where lithium ions are exchanged with protons from an acid bath.
2 | MACH–ZEHNDER MODULATOR
Model Definition
This application shows how the Electromagnetic Waves, Beam Envelopes interface can be
combined with the Electrostatics interface to perform simulations of the properties of an
optical waveguide modulator. The model is implemented in a 2D geometry, but could be
extended to a full 3D simulation.
The Electromagnetic Waves, Beam Envelopes interface is formulated assuming that the
electric field is defined as the product of a slowly varying envelope function and a rapidly
varying phase function
E = E 1 exp  – jk  r 
where E1 is the envelope function, k is a wave vector and r is the position. If k is properly
selected for the problem, the envelope function E1 has a spatial variation occurring on a
length scale much larger than the wavelength. A good assumption, for this application, is
that the wave is well approximated in the straight domains using the wave vector for the
incident mode, . However, in the waveguide bends the wave vector can be written as
 2 =   cos x + sin y 
where k0neff is the propagation constant for the mode, k0 is the vacuum wave number,
neff is the effective index of the waveguide mode,  is the angle from the x-axis, and x and
y are the unit vectors in the x and y directions, respectively.
The wave vector difference is thus
 2 –  =    cos  – 1 x + sin y 
It is the wave vector difference that determines the phase variation for the envelope field.
Thus, you must make sure that the phase variation is well resolved by the mesh. For
instance,
  2 –    r  2  N
where N is a suitably large number, for instance 6. From the relations above, you get that
the maximum mesh element sizes in the x and y directions should be

h x max = -------------------------------------------
-
Nn eff  1 – cos  
and

h y max = -----------------------------
-
Nn eff sin 
Results and Discussion

The first part of the application is to define a minimum bend radius that provides low loss.
Figure 2 shows the power transmission for an S-shaped bend. As seen, a bend radius of 2.5
mm gives a transmission of approximately 95% of the power. Accept the 5% loss and fix the
bend radius to be 2.5 mm.
Figure 2: The transmission through an S-bent waveguide versus the radius of curvature for
the bend.
Figure 3 shows the electric field norm for the wave propagating in the S-shaped bend, for
a bend radius of 2.5 mm. As seen, the wave follows the waveguide in the bend, as expected.
Figure 3: The electric field norm for the wave in the S-bent waveguide for a radius of
curvature of 2.5 mm.
You want the directional coupler structures to operate as 50/50 couplers. That is, half of
the incident power should exit from each of the two output arms. To find the coupler
length where this condition is met, monitor the power difference in the two arms of the
Mach–Zehnder interferometer and sweep the length of the directional coupler. Figure 4
shows the result of the parameter sweep. A coupler length of 380 m gives zero power
difference between the two arms. That is, the power is the same in the two arms.
Figure 4: The absolute value of the power difference between the two waveguide arms in the
Mach–Zehnder interferometer versus the length of the directional coupler.
Figure 5 shows that the electric field norms for the two arms indeed seem to be the same.
Figure 5: The electric field norm in the two waveguide arms of the Mach–Zehnder
interferometer. As shown, the fields are almost the same for a directional coupler length of 380
m.
Finally, a voltage is applied across the waveguide in one of the arms. The voltage modifies
the refractive index in the arm and, thus, there is a phase difference between the wave
propagating through the two Mach–Zehnder interferometer arms. As expected, Figure 6
shows that the wave can be switched between the two output waveguides by tuning the
applied voltage. Thus, if all input and output ports are connected to other waveguides or
fibers, you can use the device as a spatial switch. However, if only one input port and one
output port are active, the device operates as an amplitude modulator.
Figure 6: The transmission to the upper (port 2) and the lower (port 4) output waveguide
versus the applied voltage, V0.
Notes About the COMSOL Implementation

The geometry is built using the Wave Optics Module part library, by loading special parts
for straight waveguides and directional couplers.
Application Library path: Wave_Optics_Module/Modulators_and_Switches/

mach_zehnder_modulator
Modeling Instructions
First add the physics interface and the study sequence.
From the File menu, choose New.
NEW
In the New window, click Model Wizard.
MODEL WIZARD
1 In the Model Wizard window, click 2D.
2 In the Select Physics tree, select Optics>Wave Optics>Electromagnetic Waves,
Beam Envelopes (ewbe).
3 Click Add.
4 Click Study.
5 In the Select Study tree, select Preset Studies for Selected Physics Interfaces>
Boundary Mode Analysis.
6 Click Done.
GLOBAL DEFINITIONS
First load some parameters from file. The parameters are used when defining the physics
and the mesh.
General Parameters
1 In the Model Builder window, under Global Definitions click Parameters 1.
2 In the Settings window for Parameters, type General Parameters in the Label text
field.
3 Locate the Parameters section. Click Load from File.
4 Browse to the model’s Application Libraries folder and double-click the file
mach_zehnder_modulator_parameters.txt.
Geometry Parameters
Also load the geometry parameters from file. The parameters define the sizes and locations
for the geometric objects.
1 In the Home toolbar, click Parameters and choose Add>Parameters.

2 In the Settings window for Parameters, type Geometry Parameters in the Label text
field.
3 Locate the Parameters section. Click Load from File.
4 Browse to the model’s Application Libraries folder and double-click the file
mach_zehnder_modulator_geometry_parameters.txt.
The length of the Mach-Zehnder arms has purposely been set to a small value, to make
it easier to build the geometry. You will later change the length to a realistic value.
In a later study, you will optimize the radius of curvature for the S-bends in the
directional couplers, to find a value that is a good compromise between insertion loss
and device size.
The geometry is built using parts from the Wave Optics Module part library.
First, add a directional coupler part.
PART LIBRARIES
1 In the Home toolbar, click Windows and choose Part Libraries.
2 In the Part Libraries window, select Wave Optics Module>Slab Waveguides>
slab_waveguide_s_bend_directional_coupler in the tree.
3 Click Add to Geometry.
GEOMETRY 1
Slab Waveguide S-Bend Directional Coupler 1 (pi1)

1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1)>Geometry 1 click
Slab Waveguide S-Bend Directional Coupler 1 (pi1).
2 In the Settings window for Part Instance, locate the Input Parameters section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:
Name Expression Value Description

core_width w 2E-6 m Core width
cladding_width w_tot 3E-5 m Cladding width
port_core_separation d_pcc 4.1E-5 m Port core separation
coupler_core_separatio d_cc 5E-6 m Core separation in
n coupler region
coupler_length d_cpl 9E-5 m Coupler length
element_length d_dc 2.5584E-4 m Element length
4 Locate the Position and Orientation of Output section. In the Rotation angle text field,
type -90.
5 Click Build All Objects.
6 Click the Zoom Extents button in the Graphics toolbar.
The part contains predefined selections that can be used for assigning selections to
boundary conditions, materials and mesh features. Add cumulative selections for the
core and the cladding domain selections.
7 Click to expand the Domain Selections section. Click New Cumulative Selection.
8 In the New Cumulative Selection dialog box, type Core in the Name text field.
9 Click OK.
10 In the Settings window for Part Instance, locate the Domain Selections section.
11 Click New Cumulative Selection.
12 In the New Cumulative Selection dialog box, type Cladding in the Name text field.
13 Click OK.
14 In the Settings window for Part Instance, locate the Domain Selections section.
Name Keep Physics Contribute to

Core  Core
Cladding  Cladding
Add a new cumulative selection for all exterior boundaries, except the port boundaries.
16 Click to expand the Boundary Selections section. Click New Cumulative Selection.
17 In the New Cumulative Selection dialog box, type Transverse Perimeter in the Name
text field.
18 Click OK.
19 In the Settings window for Part Instance, locate the Boundary Selections section.

Transverse perimeter  Transverse Perimeter
PART LIBRARIES
Next, add a straight waveguide part.
1 In the Home toolbar, click Windows and choose Part Libraries.

2 In the Part Libraries window, select Wave Optics Module>Slab Waveguides>
slab_waveguide_straight in the tree.
3 Click Add to Geometry.
GEOMETRY 1
Slab Waveguide Straight 1 (pi2)

1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1)>Geometry 1 click
Slab Waveguide Straight 1 (pi2).

core_width w 2E-6 m Core width
cladding_width w_tot 3E-5 m Cladding width
element_length d0 3.1E-6 m Element length
4 Locate the Position and Orientation of Output section. In the x-displacement text field,
type -d0.
5 In the Rotation angle text field, type -90.
Again, assign selections from the part to the cumulative core, cladding, and transverse
perimeter selections.
8 Locate the Domain Selections section. In the table, enter the following settings:

Core  Core
Cladding  Cladding
9 Locate the Boundary Selections section. In the table, enter the following settings:

Transverse perimeter  Transverse Perimeter
10 Right-click Component 1 (comp1)>Geometry 1>Slab Waveguide Straight 1 (pi2) and

choose Duplicate.
1 In the Model Builder window, click Slab Waveguide Straight 2 (pi3).
2 In the Settings window for Part Instance, locate the Position and Orientation of Output
section.
3 In the y-displacement text field, type -d_pcc.

In the Model Builder window, right-click Slab Waveguide Straight 1 (pi2) and choose
Duplicate.


element_length d_mz 1E-4 m Element length
4 Locate the Position and Orientation of Output section. In the x-displacement text field,
type d_dc.
7 Right-click Slab Waveguide Straight 3 (pi4) and choose Duplicate.

section.

In the Model Builder window, right-click Slab Waveguide S-Bend Directional Coupler 1 (pi1)
and choose Duplicate.

1 In the Model Builder window, click Slab Waveguide S-Bend Directional Coupler 2 (pi6).
section.
3 In the x-displacement text field, type d_dc+d_mz.

In the Model Builder window, right-click Slab Waveguide Straight 1 (pi2) and choose
Duplicate.

section.
3 In the x-displacement text field, type 2*d_dc+d_mz.
6 Right-click Slab Waveguide Straight 5 (pi7) and choose Duplicate.

section.

Now, add selections for the port boundaries.

4 In the New Cumulative Selection dialog box, type Port 1 in the Name text field.
5 Click OK.

Port 1  Port 1

5 Click OK.

Port 2  Port 2

5 Click OK.

Port 1  Port 3

5 Click OK.

Port 2  Port 4

Add two selections that later will be used by integration operators.

4 In the New Cumulative Selection dialog box, type End of Upper Mach-Zehnder
Waveguide in the Name text field.
5 Click OK.

Port 2  End of Upper Mach-Zehnder Waveguide

4 In the New Cumulative Selection dialog box, type End of Lower Mach-Zehnder
Waveguide in the Name text field.
5 Click OK.

Port 2  End of Lower Mach-Zehnder Waveguide
Edge Mesh
1 In the Geometry toolbar, click Selections and choose Union Selection.
2 In the Settings window for Union Selection, type Edge Mesh in the Label text field. This
selection will be used later when defining the selection for an edge mesh feature.
3 Locate the Geometric Entity Level section. From the Level list, choose Boundary.
4 Locate the Input Entities section. Click Add.
5 In the Add dialog box, in the Selections to add list, choose Port 1 and Port 3.
6 Click OK.
MATERIALS
Define the materials for the waveguide structure.
Cladding
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1) right-click Materials and
choose Blank Material.
2 In the Settings window for Material, type Cladding in the Label text field.
3 Locate the Material Contents section. In the table, enter the following settings:
Property Variable Value Unit Property group

Refractive index, n_iso ; nii = n_iso, n_clad 1 Refractive index
real part nij = 0
Core
1 Right-click Materials and choose Blank Material.
2 In the Settings window for Material, type Core in the Label text field.
3 Locate the Geometric Entity Selection section. From the Selection list, choose Core.
4 Locate the Material Contents section. In the table, enter the following settings:

Refractive index, n_iso ; nii = n_iso, n_core 1 Refractive index
real part nij = 0
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, BEAM ENVELOPES (EWBE)

Set up the interface for unidirectional propagation, using the wave number calculated in
the boundary mode analysis.
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1) click Electromagnetic Waves,
Beam Envelopes (ewbe).
2 In the Settings window for Electromagnetic Waves, Beam Envelopes, locate the
Components section.
3 From the Electric field components solved for list, choose Out-of-plane vector.
4 Locate the Wave Vectors section. From the Number of directions list, choose
Unidirectional.
5 Specify the k1 vector as
ewbe.beta_1 x
0 y
Port 1
Now define the input and the output ports, using the previously defined selections.
1 In the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Port.
2 In the Settings window for Port, locate the Boundary Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose Port 1.
4 Locate the Port Properties section. From the Type of port list, choose Numeric.
For the first port, wave excitation is On by default.
Port 2
Port 3
Port 4
Scattering Boundary Condition 1

Use the scattering boundary condition to absorb some of the light that is not guided by
the waveguide. The scattering boundary condition is only absorbing light propagating
close to the normal direction to the boundary, so it will not absorb unguided light
propagating with large angles of incidence.
1 In the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Scattering Boundary Condition.
2 In the Settings window for Scattering Boundary Condition, locate the Boundary Selection
section.
3 From the Selection list, choose Transverse Perimeter.
MESH 1
Define a mesh on the edge and then map it over the whole domain.
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1) click Mesh 1.
2 In the Settings window for Mesh, locate the Physics-Controlled Mesh section.
3 In the table, clear the Use check box for Electromagnetic Waves, Beam Envelopes (ewbe).
4 Locate the Sequence Type section. From the list, choose User-controlled mesh.
Free Triangular 1
In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1)>Mesh 1 right-click
Free Triangular 1 and choose Delete. Click Yes to confirm.
Edge 1
1 In the Mesh toolbar, click More Generators and choose Edge.
2 In the Settings window for Edge, locate the Boundary Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose Edge Mesh.
Size 1
1 Right-click Edge 1 and choose Size.
2 In the Settings window for Size, locate the Element Size section.
3 Click the Custom button.
4 Locate the Element Size Parameters section.
5 Select the Maximum element size check box. In the associated text field, type hy.
Size 2
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Edge 1 and choose Size.
2 In the Settings window for Size, locate the Geometric Entity Selection section.
3 Click Clear Selection.
4 Select Boundaries 3 and 10 only. Those correspond to port boundaries adjacent to the
cores of the waveguides.
5 Locate the Element Size section. Click the Custom button.
7 Select the Maximum element size check box. In the associated text field, type min(hy,w/
4).
Mapped 1
1 In the Mesh toolbar, click Mapped.
2 In the Settings window for Mapped, click to expand the Reduce Element Skewness section.
3 Select the Adjust edge mesh check box.
Size 1
1 Right-click Mapped 1 and choose Size.
2 In the Settings window for Size, locate the Element Size section.
3 Click the Custom button.
5 Select the Maximum element size check box. In the associated text field, type hx.
6 Click Build All.
STUDY 1
Step 1: Boundary Mode Analysis

Now define the boundary mode analysis study steps for the numeric ports and the
frequency domain study for finding the domain solution.
1 In the Model Builder window, under Study 1 click Step 1: Boundary Mode Analysis.
2 In the Settings window for Boundary Mode Analysis, locate the Study Settings section.
3 In the Mode analysis frequency text field, type f0.
4 Select the Search for modes around shift check box. In the associated text field, type
n_core.
5 Right-click Study 1>Step 1: Boundary Mode Analysis and choose Duplicate.
Step 3: Boundary Mode Analysis 1

1 In the Model Builder window, click Step 3: Boundary Mode Analysis 1.
3 In the Port name text field, type 2.
4 Right-click Step 3: Boundary Mode Analysis 1 and choose Duplicate.

4 Right-click Step 4: Boundary Mode Analysis 2 and choose Duplicate.

Step 2: Frequency Domain

1 In the Model Builder window, click Step 2: Frequency Domain.
2 In the Settings window for Frequency Domain, locate the Study Settings section.
3 In the Frequencies text field, type f0.
4 Right-click Step 2: Frequency Domain and choose Move Down three times, or simply drag
and drop the frequency domain study step to the last position.
5 In the Home toolbar, click Compute.
RESULTS
Plots of the mode fields are automatically generated, when numeric ports are used. Inspect
the mode field for the first port.
Electric Mode Field, Port 1 (ewbe)
In the Model Builder window, under Results click Electric Mode Field, Port 1 (ewbe).
Electric Field (ewbe)

1 In the Model Builder window, click Electric Field (ewbe).
2 Zoom in on a part of the waveguide bend.
As seen from the result graph, the wave is not bound to the core when the bend radius
is so small. To make the wave follow the waveguide core, the bend radius must be
increased. Thus, make a parametric sweep of the bend radius to find the smallest radius
that gives a sufficient transmission.
STUDY 1
Parametric Sweep
1 In the Study toolbar, click Parametric Sweep.
2 In the Settings window for Parametric Sweep, locate the Study Settings section.
3 Click Add.
4 From the list in the Parameter name column, choose r0 (Bend radius).
5 Click Range.
6 In the Range dialog box, type 0.1[mm] in the Start text field.
7 In the Step text field, type 0.4[mm].
8 In the Stop text field, type 2.5[mm].
9 Click Replace.
Parameter name Parameter value list Parameter unit

r0 (Bend radius) range(0.1[mm],0.4[mm],2.5[mm]) mm
12 In the Study toolbar, click Compute.
RESULTS
Reflectance, Transmittance, and Loss (ewbe)

Replace absorptance with loss in the plot label, the y-axis label and the plot legend, as this
is more appropriate here as the loss is due to waveguide loss - not material absorption.
1 In the Model Builder window, under Results click Reflectance, Transmittance,

and Absorptance (ewbe).
2 In the Settings window for 1D Plot Group, type Reflectance, Transmittance, and
Loss (ewbe) in the Label text field.
3 Locate the Plot Settings section. In the y-axis label text field, type Reflectance,
transmittance, and loss (1).
Global 1
1 In the Model Builder window, expand the Reflectance, Transmittance, and Loss (ewbe)
node, then click Global 1.
2 In the Settings window for Global, locate the y-Axis Data section.
Expression Unit Description

ewbe.Atotal 1 Loss
Add markers and use different line types, to make it easier to distinguish the different
curves.
4 Click to expand the Coloring and Style section. Find the Line style subsection. From the
Line list, choose Cycle.
5 Find the Line markers subsection. From the Marker list, choose Cycle.

1 In the Model Builder window, click Reflectance, Transmittance, and Loss (ewbe).
2 In the Settings window for 1D Plot Group, locate the Legend section.
3 From the Position list, choose Middle left. Your graph should look the same as the graph
in Figure 2. A loss of approximately 5% seems reasonable, which you get for a bend
radius of 2.5 mm.
Electric Field (ewbe) 1

1 In the Model Builder window, click Electric Field (ewbe) 1.
2 Zoom in on a part of the waveguide bend.
3 In the Electric Field (ewbe) 1 toolbar, click Plot. Compare your graph to Figure 3.
As you see, for a 2.5 mm bend radius, the wave is bound to the waveguide core. Thus,
now set the bend radius parameter to 2.5 mm.
GLOBAL DEFINITIONS
Geometry Parameters
1 In the Model Builder window, under Global Definitions click Geometry Parameters.
2 In the Settings window for Parameters, locate the Parameters section.

r0 2.5[mm] 0.0025 m Bend radius
DEFINITIONS
Now make sure that the directional coupler splits power of the incoming wave equally
much into its output ports. To do this, compare the power in the two waveguide arms of
the Mach–Zehnder interferometer.
Integration 1 (intop1)
1 In the Definitions toolbar, click Nonlocal Couplings and choose Integration.
2 In the Settings window for Integration, locate the Source Selection section.
3 From the Geometric entity level list, choose Boundary.
4 From the Selection list, choose End of Upper Mach-Zehnder Waveguide.
5 Click Zoom to Selection.
6 Right-click Integration 1 (intop1) and choose Duplicate.
Integration 2 (intop2)
1 In the Model Builder window, click Integration 2 (intop2).
2 In the Settings window for Integration, locate the Source Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose End of Lower Mach-Zehnder Waveguide.
4 Click Zoom to Selection.
Variables 1
1 In the Definitions toolbar, click Local Variables.
2 In the Settings window for Variables, locate the Variables section.
Name Expression Unit Description

P1 intop1(ewbe.nPoav) W/m Power in upper waveguide
P2 intop2(ewbe.nPoav) W/m Power in lower waveguide
STUDY 1
Parametric Sweep
Modify the parametric sweep for a sweep of the directional coupler length.
1 In the Model Builder window, under Study 1 click Parametric Sweep.

3 From the list in the Parameter name column, choose d_cpl (Length of straight directional
coupler waveguides).
4 Click Range.
5 In the Range dialog box, type 80[um] in the Start text field.
6 In the Step text field, type 50[um].
7 In the Stop text field, type 430[um].
8 Click Replace.
9 In the Home toolbar, click Compute.
RESULTS
First, inspect the results for the transmittances and the loss.
Global 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Results>Reflectance, Transmittance, and Loss (ewbe)
click Global 1.
2 In the Settings window for Global, locate the x-Axis Data section.
3 In the Expression text field, type d_cpl.
4 From the Unit list, choose µm.
1 In the Model Builder window, click Reflectance, Transmittance, and Loss (ewbe).
3 From the Position list, choose Middle right.
4 In the Reflectance, Transmittance, and Loss (ewbe) toolbar, click Plot.
As this plot does not answer the question whether the powers in the upper and lower
waveguides are equal, create a new 1D plot.
Power Difference
1 In the Home toolbar, click Add Plot Group and choose 1D Plot Group.
2 In the Settings window for 1D Plot Group, type Power Difference in the Label text
field.
3 Locate the Data section. From the Dataset list, choose Study 1/
Parametric Solutions 1 (sol6).
Global 1
1 Right-click Power Difference and choose Global.
2 In the Settings window for Global, locate the y-Axis Data section.
Expression Unit Description

abs(P2-P1) W/m Power difference
4 Locate the x-Axis Data section. From the Axis source data list, choose Outer solutions.
5 From the Parameter list, choose Expression.
6 In the Expression text field, type d_cpl.
7 From the Unit list, choose µm.
Power Difference
1 In the Model Builder window, click Power Difference.
3 Clear the Show legends check box.
4 In the Power Difference toolbar, click Plot. Your graph should now look like
Figure 4.
Electric Field (ewbe) 1

1 In the Model Builder window, click Electric Field (ewbe) 1.
2 In the Electric Field (ewbe) 1 toolbar, click Plot.
4 Click the Zoom In button in the Graphics toolbar four times. Your plot should now
look like Figure 5.
GLOBAL DEFINITIONS
As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5, the power in the two waveguides is almost the same
when the directional coupler waveguides are 380 m long. Thus, set the parameter d_cpl
to 380 m.
Geometry Parameters
1 In the Model Builder window, under Global Definitions click Geometry Parameters.
2 In the Settings window for Parameters, locate the Parameters section.

d_cpl 380[um] 3.8E-4 m Length of directional coupler
waveguides
The final geometry parameter to fix is the Mach–Zehnder waveguide length. Set it to
2 cm.

d_mz 2[cm] 0.02 m Length of Mach-Zehnder waveguides
COMPONENT 1 (COMP1)
Finally, add an Electrostatics user interface to apply an electric field across the waveguide
in one of the arms of the interferometer.
ADD PHYSICS
1 In the Home toolbar, click Add Physics to open the Add Physics window.
2 Go to the Add Physics window.
3 In the tree, select AC/DC>Electric Fields and Currents>Electrostatics (es).
4 Click Add to Component 1 in the window toolbar.
5 In the Home toolbar, click Add Physics to close the Add Physics window.
MATERIALS
Cladding (mat1)
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1)>Materials click
Cladding (mat1).
2 In the Settings window for Material, locate the Material Contents section.
3 Right-click the Relative permittivity row and choose Edit.
4 In the Relative permittivity dialog box, choose Isotropic from the list.
5 In the text field, type epsr.
6 Click OK.
Core (mat2)
1 In the Model Builder window, click Core (mat2).
3 Right-click the Relative permittivity row and choose Edit.
4 In the Relative permittivity dialog box, choose Isotropic from the list.
5 In the text field, type epsr.
6 Click OK.
GEOMETRY 1
Add two lines for the terminals - one for the ground and one for the applied voltage.
Polygon 1 (pol1)
1 In the Geometry toolbar, click Polygon.
2 In the Settings window for Polygon, locate the Coordinates section.
x (m) y (m)
d_dc -w
d_dc+d_mz -w
4 Right-click Polygon 1 (pol1) and choose Duplicate.
Polygon 2 (pol2)
1 In the Model Builder window, click Polygon 2 (pol2).
2 In the Settings window for Polygon, locate the Coordinates section.
x (m) y (m)
d_dc w
d_dc+d_mz w
5 Zoom in on one end of the polygon.
ELECTROSTATICS (ES)
Now, add a voltage terminal and a ground.
In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1) click Electrostatics (es).
Electric Potential 1
1 In the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Electric Potential.
2 Select Boundary 84 only.
3 In the Settings window for Electric Potential, locate the Electric Potential section.
4 In the V0 text field, type V0.
Ground 1
1 In the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Ground.
2 Select Boundary 78 only.
MATERIALS
Cladding (mat1)
Also make sure that the refractive index is changed by the applied static electric field.
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1)>Materials click

Cladding (mat1).

Refractive index, n_iso ; nii = n_clad-0.5* 1 Refractive index
real part n_iso, nij = 0 n_clad^3*
r13*es.Ey
Core (mat2)
1 In the Model Builder window, click Core (mat2).

Refractive index, n_iso ; nii = n_core-0.5* 1 Refractive index
real part n_iso, nij = 0 n_core^3*
r13*es.Ey
STUDY 1
Parametric Sweep
1 In the Model Builder window, under Study 1 click Parametric Sweep.
3 From the list in the Parameter name column, choose V0 (Applied voltage).
4 Click Range.
5 In the Range dialog box, type 0[V] in the Start text field.
6 In the Step text field, type 0.1[V].
7 In the Stop text field, type 1[V].
8 Click Replace.
Step 6: Stationary
1 In the Study toolbar, click Study Steps and choose Stationary>Stationary.
2 Right-click Step 6: Stationary and choose Move Up.
Step 6: Frequency Domain

1 In the Model Builder window, click Step 6: Frequency Domain.
2 In the Settings window for Frequency Domain, locate the Physics and Variables Selection
section.
3 In the table, clear the Solve for check box for Electrostatics (es).
4 In the Study toolbar, click Compute.
RESULTS
Global 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Results>Reflectance, Transmittance, and Loss (ewbe)
click Global 1.
2 In the Settings window for Global, locate the x-Axis Data section.
3 In the Expression text field, type V0.
4 In the Reflectance, Transmittance, and Loss (ewbe) toolbar, click Plot. Compare your
graph with Figure 6.

Models - Woptics.mach Zehnder Modulator

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Created in COMSOL Multiphysics 6.

50/50 Mach–Zehnder 50/50

Figure 1: Schematic drawing of the Mach–Zehnder modulator.

A common material for fabricating waveguide modulators is lithium niobate, LiNbO3.

The wave vector difference is thus

Results and Discussion

Notes About the COMSOL Implementation

Application Library path: Wave_Optics_Module/Modulators_and_Switches/

From the File menu, choose New.

1 In the Home toolbar, click Parameters and choose Add>Parameters.

Slab Waveguide S-Bend Directional Coupler 1 (pi1)

Name Expression Value Description

Name Keep Physics Contribute to

Name Keep Physics Contribute to

1 In the Home toolbar, click Windows and choose Part Libraries.

Slab Waveguide Straight 1 (pi2)

Name Expression Value Description

Name Keep Physics Contribute to

Name Keep Physics Contribute to

10 Right-click Component 1 (comp1)>Geometry 1>Slab Waveguide Straight 1 (pi2) and

Slab Waveguide Straight 1 (pi2)

Slab Waveguide Straight 3 (pi4)

Name Expression Value Description

7 Right-click Slab Waveguide Straight 3 (pi4) and choose Duplicate.

Slab Waveguide Straight 4 (pi5)

Slab Waveguide S-Bend Directional Coupler 1 (pi1)

Slab Waveguide S-Bend Directional Coupler 2 (pi6)

Slab Waveguide Straight 1 (pi2)

Slab Waveguide Straight 5 (pi7)

6 Right-click Slab Waveguide Straight 5 (pi7) and choose Duplicate.

Slab Waveguide Straight 6 (pi8)

Slab Waveguide Straight 2 (pi3)

1 In the Model Builder window, click Slab Waveguide Straight 2 (pi3).

Name Keep Physics Contribute to

Slab Waveguide Straight 5 (pi7)

Name Keep Physics Contribute to

Slab Waveguide Straight 1 (pi2)

Name Keep Physics Contribute to

Slab Waveguide Straight 6 (pi8)

Name Keep Physics Contribute to

Slab Waveguide Straight 3 (pi4)

1 In the Model Builder window, click Slab Waveguide Straight 3 (pi4).

Name Keep Physics Contribute to

Slab Waveguide Straight 4 (pi5)

Name Keep Physics Contribute to

Property Variable Value Unit Property group

Property Variable Value Unit Property group

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, BEAM ENVELOPES (EWBE)

Scattering Boundary Condition 1

Step 1: Boundary Mode Analysis

Step 3: Boundary Mode Analysis 1

Step 4: Boundary Mode Analysis 2

Step 5: Boundary Mode Analysis 3

Step 2: Frequency Domain

Electric Field (ewbe)

Parameter name Parameter value list Parameter unit

12 In the Study toolbar, click Compute.

Reflectance, Transmittance, and Loss (ewbe)

1 In the Model Builder window, under Results click Reflectance, Transmittance,