Avanex expands its family of Lithium-Niobate external modulators
JANUARY 17, 2007 -- Avanex Corp. (search for Avanex) has expanded its portfolio of 12.5-Gbit/sec modulators with the introduction of Z-cut technology to its Lithium-Niobate (LiNbO3) external modulator product line.
The adoption of tunable lasers and transponders in flexible networks has increased interest in LiNbO3 electro-optic modulators, the preferred technology for wideband modulation applications, explain company representatives. Optical designers prefer wideband electro-optic modulators for transmission capability and improved optical performance over a wide wavelength range.
Avanex now offers both Z-cut and X-cut LiNbO3 modulators to provide high-performance modulation in a range of fiber-optic systems. These modulators, which offer either "chirped" or "chirp-free" signals, provide high-performance LiNbO3 modulation for a variety of installed fiber bases, says the company.
"Thanks to the advent of tunable lasers in reconfigurable networks, the market for external modulators has expanded," reports Yves Le Maitre, chief marketing officer. "Adding Z-cut technology to our external modulator product family approximately doubles our serviceable modulator market. Avanex is committed to satisfying customers' demand for broader product offerings and outstanding technology. We have fully mastered the demanding microlithographical processes required by Z-cut technology to deliver the same level of performance and reliability as the Avanex modulator product line," he says.
The Z-cut and X-cut substrates are determined by the way the crystal is cut and defines the performance characteristics, including modulator efficiency and chirp. The addition of Z-cut technology strengthens Avanex's LiNbO3 external modulator portfolio and provides telecommunication equipment manufacturers with a single-source for all their 12.5-Gbit/sec modulator needs.
Avanex's F10-Z is a Z-cut, pre-chirped, single-drive external modulator for 12.5-Gbit/sec applications that require high levels of performance and reliability. The F10-Z modulator packaging is based on Avanex's standard F10 package platform for 4" 300-pin MSA transponders, making it a very cost effective product, says the company. The Z-cut products are fully compatible with Avanex's X-cut form factor and electrical interface and are fully compatible with existing transponder designs for F10 X-cut modulators. The Z-cut technology also has the potential for lower drive voltages, enabling transmission applications with advanced modulation formats and less expensive drive electronics.
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