Models - Woptics.mach Zehnder Modulator

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.
Mach-Zehnder Modulator
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- 50/50

Directional Zehnder Directional
Coupler Interferometer 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.
1 | MACH-ZEHNDER MODULATOR
Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.4
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.
Model Definition
This model shows how the Electromagnetic Waves, Beam Envelopes user interface can
be combined with the Electrostatics user 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 will have a spatial variation
occurring on a length scale much larger than the wavelength. A good assumption, for
this model, is that the wave is well approximated in the straight domains using the wave
vector for the incident mode, β. However, in the waveguide bends the wave vector can
be written as
β 2 = β ( cos αx + sin αy ) ,
where β = k0neff is the propagation constant for the mode, k0 is the vacuum wave
number, neff is the effective index of the waveguide mode, α 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
β 2 – β = β ( ( cos α – 1 )x + sin αy ) .
It is the wave vector difference that determines the phase variation for the envelope
field. Thus, we must make sure that the phase variation is well resolved by the mesh.
For instance,
( β 2 – β ) ⋅ Δr ≤ 2π ⁄ N ,
where N is a suitably large number, for instance 6. From the relations above, we get
that the maximum mesh element sizes in the x- and y-direction should be
λ
h x, max = --------------------------------------------
Nn eff ( 1 – cos α )
and
λ
h y, max = ------------------------------ .
Nn eff sin α
Results and Discussion

The first part of the model 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 will give a transmission of approximately 98% of the power. We accept the
2% 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.
We 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, we 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 μm
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 μm.
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 will be 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 (S21) and the lower (S41) output waveguide
versus the applied voltage, V0.
Model Library path: Wave_Optics_Module/Waveguides_and_Couplers/

mach_zehnder_modulator
Modeling Instructions
The parameterized geometry for the Mach-Zehnder modulator is quite complicated
to set up. To get straight to the physics modeling, start by importing the MPH-file. In
the imported MPH-file, the parameters for the geometry and the materials are already
defined, as well as the default physics settings. The study node includes a default
boundary mode analysis study sequence.
If you want to build the geometry manually, follow the steps in Appendix: Geometry
Modeling Instructions, starting on page 31, and then return here, but skip the
following two steps to import the MPH-file.
1 From the File menu, choose Open.

2 Browse to the model’s Model Library folder and double-click the file
mach_zehnder_modulator_geom_sequence.mph.
Now, start by defining the materials for the waveguide structure.
MATERIALS
Material 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 right-click Materials and choose
New Material.
2 In the Material settings window, locate the Material Contents section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:
Property Name Value Unit Property group

Refractive index n n_clad 1 Refractive index
4 Right-click Component 1>Materials>Material 1 and choose Rename.

5 Go to the Rename Material dialog box and type Cladding in the New name edit field.
6 Click OK.
Material 2
1 Right-click Materials and choose New Material.
2 In the Material settings window, locate the Geometric Entity Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose Core.
4 Locate the Material Contents section. In the table, enter the following settings:

Refractive index n n_core 1 Refractive index
5 Right-click Component 1>Materials>Material 2 and choose Rename.

6 Go to the Rename Material dialog box and type Core in the New name edit field.
7 Click OK.
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, BEAM ENVELOPES

Setup the interface for unidirectional propagation, using the wave number calculated
in the boundary mode analysis.
1 In the Model Builder, under Component 1, click Electromagnetic Waves, Beam

Envelopes node.
2 Locate the Components section. From the Electric field components solved for list,
choose Out-of-plane vector.
3 Locate the Wave Vectors section. From the Number of directions list, choose
Unidirectional.
4 Specify the k1 vector as
ewbe.beta_1 x
0 y
Now define the input and the output ports.
Port 1
1 On the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Port.
2 In the Port settings window, 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.
5 From the Wave excitation at this port list, choose On.
Port 2
Port 3
Port 4
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
non-guided light propagating with large angles of incidence.
Scattering Boundary Condition 1

1 On the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Scattering Boundary Condition.
2 In the Scattering Boundary Condition settings window, locate the Boundary Selection
section.
3 From the Selection list, choose Scattering boundary condition.
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 click Mesh 1.

2 In the Mesh settings window, locate the Mesh Settings section.
3 From the Sequence type list, choose User-controlled mesh.
Free Triangular 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1>Mesh 1 right-click Free Triangular
1 and choose Delete. Click Yes to confirm.
Edge 1
1 Right-click Mesh 1 and choose More Operations>Edge.
2 Select Boundaries 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12 only.
Size 1
1 Right-click Component 1>Mesh 1>Edge 1 and choose Size.
2 In the Size settings window, locate the Element Size section.
3 Click the Custom button.
4 Locate the Element Size Parameters section. Select the Maximum element size check
box.
5 In the associated edit field, type hy.
Size 2
1 Right-click Edge 1 and choose Size.
2 In the Size settings window, locate the Geometric Entity Selection section.
3 Click Clear Selection.
4 Select Boundaries 3 and 10 only, that correspond to the cores of the waveguides.
5 Locate the Element Size section. Click the Custom button.
box.
7 In the associated edit field, type min(hy,w/4).
Mapped 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Mesh 1 and choose Mapped.
2 In the Mapped settings window, click to expand the Advanced settings section.
3 Locate the Advanced Settings section. Select the Adjust evenly distributed edge mesh
check box.
Size 1
1 Right-click Component 1>Mesh 1>Mapped 1 and choose Size.
2 In the Size settings window, locate the Element Size section.
3 Click the Custom button.
box.
5 In the associated edit field, type hx.
6 Click the Build All button.
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 Boundary Mode Analysis settings window, locate the Study Settings section.
3 In the Search for modes around edit field, type n_core.
4 In the Mode analysis frequency edit field, type f0.
Step 3: Boundary Mode Analysis 1

1 Right-click Study 1>Step 1: Boundary Mode Analysis and choose Duplicate.
2 In the Model Builder window, under Study 1 right-click Step 3: Boundary Mode
Analysis 1 and choose Move Up.
4 In the Port name edit field, type 2.

1 Right-click Study 1>Step 3: Boundary Mode Analysis 1 and choose Duplicate.

1 Right-click Study 1>Step 4: Boundary Mode Analysis 2 and choose Duplicate.
Step 5: Frequency Domain

1 In the Model Builder window, under Study 1 click Step 5: Frequency Domain.
2 In the Frequency Domain settings window, locate the Study Settings section.
3 In the Frequencies edit field, type f0.
4 On the Home toolbar, click Compute.
DEFINITIONS
Input S-bend
Click the Zoom Selected button on the Graphics toolbar.
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, we should make a parametric sweep of the bend radius, to find the
smallest radius that gives a sufficient transmission.
STUDY 1
Parametric Sweep
1 On the Study toolbar, click Parametric Sweep.
2 In the Parametric Sweep settings window, locate the Study Settings section.
3 Click the Add button.
Parameter names Parameter value list

r0
5 Click Range.
6 Go to the Range dialog box.
7 In the Start edit field, type 100[um].
8 In the Step edit field, type 400[um].
9 In the Stop edit field, type 2500[um].
10 Click the Replace button.
11 On the Study toolbar, click Compute.
RESULTS
1D Plot Group 3
1 On the Home toolbar, click Add Plot Group and choose 1D Plot Group.
2 In the 1D Plot Group settings window, locate the Data section.
3 From the Data set list, choose Solution 6.
4 On the 1D Plot Group 1 toolbar, click Global.
5 In the Global settings window, locate the y-Axis Data section.
Expression Unit Description

sqrt(abs(ewbe.S21)^2+abs(ewbe.S41)^2) 1
7 Locate the x-Axis Data section. From the Axis source data list, choose r0.
8 In the Model Builder window, click 1D Plot Group 3.
9 Locate the Plot Settings section. Select the x-axis label check box.
10 In the associated edit field, type Bend radius of curvature (m).
11 Select the y-axis label check box.
12 In the associated edit field, type Total modal transmission.
13 Click to expand the Title section. From the Title type list, choose None.
14 Click to expand the Axis section. Select the Manual axis limits check box.
15 In the y minimum edit field, type 0.9.
16 In the y maximum edit field, type 1.
17 In the Model Builder window, under Results>1D Plot Group 3 click Global 1.
18 In the Global settings window, click to expand the Legends section.
19 Clear the Show legends check box.
20 On the 1D plot group toolbar, click Plot. Your graph should look the same as the
graph in Figure 2. A loss of approximately 2% seems reasonable, as we get for a bend
radius of 2.5 mm.
Electric Field (ewbe) 1

1 Zoom-in on a part of the waveguide bend.
2 On the 2D plot group 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
Parameters
1 In the Model Builder window, under Global Definitions click Parameters.
2 In the Parameters settings window, locate the Parameters section.
Name Expression Value Description

r0 2.5[mm] 0.002500 m Bend radius
Now make sure that the directional coupler splits power of the incoming wave equally
much into its output ports. To do this, you compare the power in the two waveguide
arms of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
DEFINITIONS
Integration 1
1 On the Definitions toolbar, click Component Couplings and choose Integration.
2 In the Integration settings window, 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 Selected.
Integration 2
1 Right-click Component 1>Definitions>Integration 1 and choose Duplicate.
2 In the Integration settings window, locate the Source Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose End of lower Mach-Zehnder waveguide.
4 Click Zoom Selected.
Variables 1a
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Definitions and choose Variables.
2 In the Variables settings window, 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, expand the Study 1 node, then click Parametric Sweep.
3 In the table, select the parameter d_dc.
4 Click Range.

6 In the Start edit field, type 80[um].
7 In the Step edit field, type 50[um].
8 In the Stop edit field, type 430[um].
RESULTS
1D Plot Group 3
2 In the Global settings window, locate the y-Axis Data section.
Expression Unit Description

abs(P2-P1) W/m
4 In the Model Builder window, click 1D Plot Group 3.

5 In the 1D Plot Group settings window, locate the Plot Settings section.
6 In the x-axis label edit field, type Directional coupler length (m).
7 In the y-axis label edit field, type Absolute power difference (W/m).
8 Locate the Axis section. In the x minimum edit field, type 8e-5.
9 In the x maximum edit field, type 4.3e-4.
10 In the y minimum edit field, type 0.
11 Locate the Grid section. Select the Manual spacing check box.
12 In the x spacing edit field, type 5e-5.
13 In the y spacing edit field, type 0.1.
14 On the 1D Plot Group 3 toolbar, click Plot. Your graph should now look like
Figure 4.
Electric Field (ewbe) 1

1 In the Model Builder window, under Results click Electric Field (ewbe) 1.
2 In the 2D Plot Group settings window, locate the Data section.
3 From the Parameter value (d_dc) list, choose 3.8e-4.
4 On the Electric Field (ewbe) 1 toolbar, click Plot.
5 Click the Zoom Extents button on the Graphics toolbar.

6 Click the Zoom In button on the Graphics toolbar four times. Your graph should
now look like Figure 5.
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 μm long. Thus, set the
parameter d_dc to 380 μm.
GLOBAL DEFINITIONS
Parameters
1 In the Model Builder window, expand the Global Definitions node, then click
Parameters.

d_dc 380[um] 3.800E-4 m Length of directional coupler
waveguides
The final geometry parameter to fix is the Mach-Zehnder waveguide length. Set that
length to 2 cm.

d_mz 2[cm] 0.02000 m Length of Mach-Zehnder waveguides
Finally, add an Electrostatics user interface to apply an electric field across the
waveguide in one of the arms of the interferometer.
COMPONENT 1
On the Home toolbar, click Add Physics.
ADD PHYSICS
1 Go to the Add Physics window.
2 In the Add physics tree, select AC/DC>Electrostatics (es).
3 In the Add physics window, click Add to Component.
4 Close the Add physics window.
MATERIALS
Cladding
1 In the Model Builder window, expand the Component 1>Materials node, then click
Cladding.

Relative permittivity epsilonr epsr 1 Basic
Core
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1>Materials click Core.

Relative permittivity epsilonr epsr 1 Basic
GEOMETRY 1
Add two lines for the terminals - one for the ground and one for the applied voltage.
Polygon 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 right-click Geometry 1 and choose
Polygon.
2 In the Polygon settings window, locate the Coordinates section.
3 In the x edit field, type d0+2*dx_bend+d_dc d0+2*dx_bend+d_dc+d_mz.
4 In the y edit field, type w_tot/2-w w_tot/2-w.
Polygon 2
1 Right-click Component 1>Geometry 1>Polygon 1 and choose Duplicate.
2 In the Polygon settings window, locate the Coordinates section.
3 In the y edit field, type w_tot/2+w w_tot/2+w.
4 Click the Build All Objects button.
Now, add a voltage terminal and a ground.
ELECTROSTATICS
Electric Potential 1
1 On the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Electric Potential.
2 Select Boundary 72 only.
3 In the Electric Potential settings window, locate the Electric Potential section.
4 In the V0 edit field, type V0.
Ground 1
1 On the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Ground.
2 Select Boundary 66 only.
MATERIALS
Cladding
Also make sure that the refractive index is changed by the applied static electric field.
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1>Materials click Cladding.


Refractive n n_clad-0.5*n_clad^3*r13*es.E 1 Refractive
index y index
Core
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1>Materials click Core.

Refractive n n_core-0.5*n_core^3*r13*es.E 1 Refractive
index y index
STUDY 1
Parametric Sweep
1 In the Model Builder window, under Study 1 click Parametric Sweep.
3 In the table, choose the parameter V0.
4 Click Range.
6 In the Start edit field, type 0[V].
7 In the Step edit field, type 10[V].
8 In the Stop edit field, type 80[V].
Step 6: Stationary
1 On the Study toolbar, click Study Steps and choose Stationary>Stationary.
2 In the Model Builder window, under Study 1 right-click Step 6: Stationary and choose
Move Up.
3 In the Stationary settings window, locate the Physics and Variables Selection section.
4 In the table, click on the cell in the Solve for column corresponding to
Electromagnetic Waves, Beam Envelopes to deactivate the physics in this study step.
Step 1: Boundary Mode Analysis

1 In the Model Builder window, under Study 1 click Step 1: Boundary Mode Analysis.
2 In the Boundary Mode Analysis settings window, locate the Physics and Variables
Selection section.
3 In the table, click on the cell in the Solve for column corresponding to Electrostatics
to deactivate the physics in this study step
4 Repeat steps 1-3 for the other Boundary Mode Analysis and Frequency Domain steps.
RESULTS
1D Plot Group 3
1 In the Model Builder window, under Results click 1D Plot Group 3.
2 In the 1D Plot Group settings window, locate the Plot Settings section.
3 Clear the x-axis label check box.
4 Clear the y-axis label check box.
5 Locate the Axis section. Clear the Manual axis limits check box.
6 Locate the Grid section. Clear the Manual spacing check box.
8 In the Global settings window, click Replace Expression in the upper-right corner of
the y-axis data section. From the menu, choose Electromagnetic Waves, Beam
Envelopes>Ports>S-parameter, dB>S-parameter, dB, 21 component (ewbe.S21dB).
9 Click Add Expression in the upper-right corner of the y-axis data section. From the
menu, choose Electromagnetic Waves, Beam Envelopes>Ports>S-parameter,
dB>S-parameter, dB, 41 component (ewbe.S41dB).
10 Locate the Legends section. Select the Show legends check box.
11 From the Legends list, choose Manual.
Legends
S-parameter, dB, 21 component
S-parameter, dB, 41 component
13 On the 1D plot group toolbar, click Plot. Compare your graph with Figure 6.
Appendix: Geometry Modeling Instructions

From the File menu, choose New.
NEW
1 In the New window, click the Model Wizard button.
MODEL WIZARD
1 In the Model Wizard window, click the 2D button.
2 In the Select physics tree, select Optics>Wave Optics>Electromagnetic Waves, Beam
Envelopes (ewbe).
3 Click the Add button.
4 Click the Study button.
5 In the tree, select Preset Studies>Boundary Mode Analysis.
6 Click the Done button.
GLOBAL DEFINITIONS
Start by adding parameters for the geometry and the material properties.
Parameters
1 On the Home toolbar, click Parameters.

wl 1.55[um] 1.550E-6 m Wavelength
f0 c_const/wl 1.934E14 1/s Frequency
w 2[um] 2.000E-6 m Waveguide width
w_tot 30[um] 3.000E-5 m Total waveguide width
n_clad 2.2 2.200 Cladding refractive
index
n_core 2.22 2.220 Core refractive index
d0 2*wl 3.100E-6 m Initial straight
waveguide
dy_bend 0.6*w_tot 1.800E-5 m Total displacement in
y-direction at S-bend
r0 100[um] 1.000E-4 m Bend radius
alpha acos((r0-dy_be 0.4275 rad Bend angle
nd/2)/r0)
dx_bend 2*r0*sin(alpha 8.292E-5 m Total length in the
) x-direction for S-bend
d_dc 90[um] 9.000E-5 m Length of directional
coupler waveguides
d_mz 100[um] 1.000E-4 m Length of Mach-Zehnder
waveguides
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.

hx wl/(6*n_core)/ 1.293E-6 m Maximum element size in
(1-cos(alpha)) x-direction
hy wl/(6*n_core)/ 2.807E-7 m Maximum element size in
sin(alpha) y-direction
dy_wg 3[um] 3.000E-6 m Distance between
directional coupler
waveguides
r13 30[pm/V] 3.000E-11 C/N Electro-optic
coefficient

V0 100[V] 100.0 V Applied voltage
epsr 35 35.00 Low-frequency relative
permittivity
GEOMETRY 1
Start defining the first S-shaped bend that is part of the first directional coupler. You
will later study the radius of curvature for these bends, to find a value that is a good
compromise between insertion loss and device size.
Rectangle 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 right-click Geometry 1 and choose
Rectangle.
2 In the Rectangle settings window, locate the Size section.
3 In the Width edit field, type d0.
4 In the Height edit field, type w_tot.
5 Click to expand the Layers section. In the table, enter the following settings:
Layer name Thickness (m)

Layer 1 (w_tot-w)/2
6 Select the Layers on top check box.
Circle 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Geometry 1 and choose Circle.
2 In the Circle settings window, locate the Size and Shape section.
3 In the Radius edit field, type r0+w_tot/2.
4 Locate the Position section. In the x edit field, type d0.
5 In the y edit field, type w_tot/2-r0.
6 Locate the Size and Shape section. In the Sector angle edit field, type alpha.
7 Locate the Rotation Angle section. In the Rotation edit field, type 90-alpha.
Circle 2
1 Right-click Component 1>Geometry 1>Circle 1 and choose Duplicate.
3 In the Radius edit field, type r0+w/2.
Circle 3
1 Right-click Component 1>Geometry 1>Circle 2 and choose Duplicate.
3 In the Radius edit field, type r0-w/2.
Circle 4
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1>Geometry 1 right-click Circle 1 and
choose Duplicate.
3 In the Radius edit field, type r0-w_tot/2.
4 On the Home toolbar, click Build All.
Difference 1
1 On the Geometry toolbar, click Difference.
2 Select the objects c2, c3, and c1 only.
3 In the Difference settings window, locate the Difference section.

4 Select the Objects to subtract toggle button.
5 Select the object c4 only.

Rotate 1
1 On the Geometry toolbar, click Rotate.
2 Select the object dif1 only.
3 In the Rotate settings window, locate the Input section.

4 Select the Keep input objects check box.
5 Locate the Rotation Angle section. In the Rotation edit field, type 180.
6 Locate the Center of Rotation section. In the x edit field, type d0+dx_bend/2.
7 In the y edit field, type w_tot/2-dy_bend/2.
Rectangle 2
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1>Geometry 1 right-click Rectangle
1 and choose Duplicate.
3 In the Width edit field, type d_dc.
4 Locate the Position section. In the x edit field, type d0+dx_bend.
5 In the y edit field, type -dy_bend.
Mirror 1
1 On the Geometry toolbar, click Mirror.
2 Select the objects dif1 and rot1 only.
3 In the Mirror settings window, locate the Input section.

5 Locate the Point on Line of Reflection section. In the x edit field, type
d0+dx_bend+d_dc/2.
Rectangle 3
1 Right-click Rectangle 1 and choose Duplicate.
3 In the Width edit field, type d_mz.
4 Locate the Position section. In the x edit field, type d0+2*dx_bend+d_dc.
Mirror 2
2 Select the objects dif1, r2, mir1(1), rot1, r1, and mir1(2) only.
5 Locate the Point on Line of Reflection section. In the x edit field, type
d0+2*dx_bend+d_dc+d_mz/2.
6 Locate the Input section. Under Input objects, click Zoom Selected.
Rectangle 4
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Geometry 1 and choose Rectangle.
3 In the Width edit field, type 2*(d0+d_dc)+d_mz+4*dx_bend.
4 In the Height edit field, type (w_tot-w-dy_wg)/2.
5 Locate the Position section. In the y edit field, type -dy_bend.
Difference 2
1 On the Geometry toolbar, click Difference.
2 Select the objects dif1, r2, mir2(1), mir2(4), mir1(1), r1, mir1(2), mir2(2), mir2(6),
mir2(3), rot1, mir2(5), and r3 only.
3 In the Difference settings window, locate the Difference section.

4 Select the Objects to subtract toggle button.
5 Select the object r4 only.
Mirror 3
2 Select the object dif2 only.

5 Locate the Point on Line of Reflection section. In the y edit field, type
(w_tot-w-dy_wg)/2-dy_bend.
6 Locate the Normal Vector to Line of Reflection section. In the x edit field, type 0.
7 In the y edit field, type 1.
DEFINITIONS
Finally, add some selections that will be useful when defining the model.
Explicit 1
1 On the Definitions toolbar, click Explicit.
2 Select Domains 1–3, 7–9, 13, 15, and 17 only.
3 Right-click Component 1>Definitions>Explicit 1 and choose Rename.
4 Go to the Rename Explicit dialog box and type Input S-bend in the New name edit
field.
5 Click OK.
6 Click the Zoom Selected button on the Graphics toolbar.
Explicit 2
2 Select Domains 2, 5, 8, 11, 15, 16, 20, 23, 26, 29, 33, 34, 38, 41, 44, 47, 51, 52,
56, 59, 62, 65, 69, 70, 74, and 77 only.
4 Go to the Rename Explicit dialog box and type Core in the New name edit field.
5 Click OK.
Explicit 3
2 In the Explicit settings window, locate the Input Entities section.
3 Select the All domains check box.
4 Locate the Output Entities section. From the Output entities list, choose Adjacent
boundaries.
6 Go to the Rename Explicit dialog box and type Exterior boundaries in the New
name edit field.
7 Click OK.
Explicit 4
4 Select Boundaries 1, 3, and 5 only.
6 Go to the Rename Explicit dialog box and type Port 1 in the New name edit field.
7 Click OK. Make sure your selection match the one shown below.
Explicit 5
4 Select Boundaries 128–130 only.
7 Click OK. Make sure your selection match the one shown below.
Explicit 6
7 Click OK. Your selection should match the one shown below.
Explicit 7
4 Select Boundaries 8, 10, and 12 only.
Difference 1
1 On the Definitions toolbar, click Difference.
2 In the Difference settings window, locate the Geometric Entity Level section.
3 From the Level list, choose Boundary.
4 Locate the Input Entities section. Under Selections to add, click Add.
5 Go to the Add dialog box.
6 In the Selections to add list, select Exterior boundaries.
7 Click the OK button.
8 In the Difference settings window, locate the Input Entities section.
9 Under Selections to subtract, click Add.
11 In the Selections to subtract list, choose Port 1, Port 2, Port 4, and Port 3.
13 Right-click Component 1>Definitions>Difference 1 and choose Rename.
14 Go to the Rename Difference dialog box and type Scattering boundary

condition in the New name edit field.
Explicit 8
6 Go to the Rename Explicit dialog box and type End of lower Mach-Zehnder
waveguide in the New name edit field.
7 Click OK. Verify your selection with the one shown below.
9 Click the Zoom Out button on the Graphics toolbar.

10 Click the Zoom Out button on the Graphics toolbar.
Explicit 9
6 Go to the Rename Explicit dialog box and type End of upper Mach-Zehnder
waveguide in the New name edit field.
7 Click OK. Verify your selection with the one shown below.
Union 1
1 On the Definitions toolbar, click Union.
2 In the Union settings window, locate the Geometric Entity Level section.
3 From the Level list, choose Boundary.
4 Locate the Input Entities section. Under Selections to add, click Add.
6 In the Selections to add list, choose End of lower Mach-Zehnder waveguide and End of
upper Mach-Zehnder waveguide.
8 Right-click Component 1>Definitions>Union 1 and choose Rename.
9 Go to the Rename Union dialog box and type End of Mach-Zehnder waveguides
in the New name edit field.
10 Click OK. Finally, check your last selection with the one shown below.

Models - Woptics.mach Zehnder Modulator

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Models - Woptics.mach Zehnder Modulator

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Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.

50/50 Mach- 50/50

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

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

The Electromagnetic Waves, Beam Envelopes interface is formulated assuming that

where E1 is the envelope function, k is a wave vector and r is the position. If k is

The wave vector difference is thus

Results and Discussion

Model Library path: Wave_Optics_Module/Waveguides_and_Couplers/

1 From the File menu, choose Open.

Now, start by defining the materials for the waveguide structure.

Property Name Value Unit Property group

4 Right-click Component 1>Materials>Material 1 and choose Rename.

3 From the Selection list, choose Core.

Property Name Value Unit Property group

5 Right-click Component 1>Materials>Material 2 and choose Rename.

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, BEAM ENVELOPES

1 In the Model Builder, under Component 1, click Electromagnetic Waves, Beam

4 Specify the k1 vector as

Now define the input and the output ports.

3 From the Selection list, choose Port 2.

3 From the Selection list, choose Port 3.

3 From the Selection list, choose Port 4.

Scattering Boundary Condition 1

3 From the Selection list, choose Scattering boundary condition.

1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 click Mesh 1.

2 Select Boundaries 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12 only.

7 In the associated edit field, type min(hy,w/4).

Step 1: Boundary Mode Analysis

Step 3: Boundary Mode Analysis 1

Step 4: Boundary Mode Analysis 2

Step 5: Boundary Mode Analysis 3

Step 5: Frequency Domain

Parameter names Parameter value list

Expression Unit Description

Electric Field (ewbe) 1

Name Expression Value Description

5 Click Zoom Selected.

4 Click Zoom Selected.

Name Expression Unit Description

5 Go to the Range dialog box.

Expression Unit Description

4 In the Model Builder window, click 1D Plot Group 3.

Electric Field (ewbe) 1

5 Click the Zoom Extents button on the Graphics toolbar.

Name Expression Value Description

Name Expression Value Description

Property Name Value Unit Property group

Property Name Value Unit Property group

4 Click the Build All Objects button.

Now, add a voltage terminal and a ground.

2 Select Boundary 72 only.

2 Select Boundary 66 only.

1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1>Materials click Cladding.

Property Name Value Unit Property group

3 In the table, enter the following settings:

Property Name Value Unit Property group

Step 1: Boundary Mode Analysis

Appendix: Geometry Modeling Instructions

3 In the table, enter the following settings:

Name Expression Value Description

Name Expression Value Description