Mach-Zehnder interferometer tuning with Ta_2O_5 film loading

Abstract
Unwanted path length variations cause integrated optical Mach-Zehnder modulators to have random intrinsic phase and directional couplers to have uncertain coupling lengths. The feasibility of tuning these devices by modifying the propagation constant with Ta2O5 loading of Ti:LiNbO3 waveguides was studied. The intrinsic phase of a Mach-Zehnder modulator was adjusted by this method.