Organic Electro-Optic Mach–Zehnder Modulators: From Physics-Based to System-Level Modeling

Abstract

Herein, an overview on the physics-based and system-oriented modeling of organic electro-optic Mach–Zehnder modulators for optical communication systems is presented. State-of-the-art solutions in electro-optic organic materials and modulator designs are reviewed, with particular stress on silicon organic hybrid (SOH) and plasmonic organic hybrid (POH) solutions. Then, the physics-based simulation of concentrated and traveling-wave modulators is discussed both through 3D optical simulations and a combination of 2D and 3D models, where the modulator is partitioned into convenient subdomains. Neural network behavioral models are finally discussed and case studies are proposed on the physics-based and system-level simulation of SOH and POH Mach–Zehnder modulators.