Lithium niobate (LN) has long been the material of choice for EOMs due to its excellent electro-optic properties, broad optical transparency window, and high-speed operation capabilities. A crucial component in many photonic integrated circuits (PICs) is the electro-optic modulator (EOM), particularly thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) modulators, which convert electrical signals into optical signals. Recently, LN photonic crystals have garnered attention as a compelling candidate for incorporation. Optical Fiber (OFC): Thin strands of glass/plastic that guide light. Mode: A single path for light to travel within the fiber. Singlemode Fiber (SM / SMF): Fiber with a small core (~9µm) that allows only one mode of light. Used for long-distance, high-speed. The AWG was developed on PLC technology platform in 1990s.
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