Method for measuring waveguide propagation losses by means of a Mach–Zehnder Interferometer structure

Abstract

A mi familia. PrefaceThis work was initiated in 2005 with the objective of studying a new proposal for low-cost high-gain planar antennas for millimeter-wave applications. This proposal, the so-called Single Hard Wall Waveguide (SHWW), is based on the use of soft/hard surfaces within oversized rectangular waveguides to feed planar slot arrays. The research has been developed in the Electromagnetic Radiation Group, headed by Prof. Miguel Ferrando Bataller, at the iTeAM Institute of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV), and supervised by Prof. Alejandro Valero Nogueira. This work has been supported in part by the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia under a 4-year PhD grant (the FPI-UPV program), and by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion under projects TEC2007-66698-C04-03 and PTA2008-0892-P.The need of a deeper understanding of the soft/hard surface concept led me to visit Prof. Kildal's group at Department of Signals and Systems at Chalmers University of Technology, during 3 months the Autumn 2007. Prof. Per-Simon Kildal established the definition of soft/hard surfaces in 1989. And since then, he has done many contributions to the study and application of these surfaces. This visit not only meant a encouragement to our research, but also inspired the invention of a new gap waveguide by Prof. Kildal. This waveguide has a large application potential, in particular to the realization of circuits and components at the millimeter-wave band. The first studies on this waveguide were carried out during a second visit to Kildal's group during 3 months the Autumn 2008. Further works on the study and development of this new technology were later done in Valencia. Gap waveguides are now being investigated in several research groups (UPV, Chalmers, Siena, Zagreb, Mississippi). Agradecimientos -AcknowledgmentsSois muchas las personas que a lo largo de estos años habéis estado conmigo, y que de una u otra forma, aún sin ser conscientes de ello, habéis contribuido a la realización de esta tesis. A todos vosotros os la quiero dedicar.Quiero transmitiros mi más sincera gratitud, porque sin vosotros no habría encontrado la fuerza, la calma y la ilusión necesarias para llegar hasta aquí. No es mi intención nombraros directamente, pues estoy segura de que de sobra sabéis lo importantes que habéis sido para mí cada uno de vosotros, tan solo lo haré cuando no pueda evitarlo. Os llevo en mi recuerdo y en mi corazón, y os voy a estar por siempre agradecida, a todos.Me gustaría empezar por mi tutor. Gracias Alejandro, por darme la oportunidad de emprender este camino. Gracias por acompañarme en todo momento, por guiarme, y confiar en mí. Gracias por tu ayuda, tu apoyo, paciencia y dedicación.Gracias José Ignacio, por ordenar mis pensamientos tantas veces, por todo lo que he podido aprender contigo. Gracias por tu inestimable ayuda, interés y seguimiento de este trabajo. Gracias por tu continuo apoyo y absoluta disposición. Ojalá puedas ayudar a otros tanto como a mí.Gracias Mariano, por la ayuda prestada. Gracias por ...

Development of integrated silicon photonics modulation devices for digital and analog applications

“…In addition, the power imbalance of the branching structure in the MZI can also be obtained. Our theoretical analysis is supported by experimental measurements [GUT12B]. Moreover, and due to the paramount importance of this critical parameter in slow-wave elements, the method is extended and proposed to accurately measure the IL of the slow-light phase shifters presented in the previous section [BRI12A].…”

“…The method is based on the analysis of the transmission spectra of asymmetric MZIs, which enables the calculation of the propagation losses as well as the power imbalance of the branching structure of a MZI. The main contribution of the author is the proposed method for measuring the propagation losses, which was originally proposed and developed for conventional rib waveguides [GUT12B] and then it was extended for corrugated waveguides [BRI12A] in collaboration with A. Brimont.…”

“…Moreover the variation of the IL with a group index is also analyzed and discussed in other point dedicated entirely to present a method for calculating the propagation losses, first in MZIs with conventional rib waveguides [GUT12B] and second with corrugated one [BRI12A]. As a result, relatively compact single-drive phase shifters featuring low drive voltage, moderate IL, and high-speed performance are demonstrated assuring the benefits of slow-light as a means to enhance the performance of silicon modulators based on the plasma dispersion effect.…”