Expressions of the chirp parameter components for intensity modulation with a dual-electrode Mach-Zehnder modulator

We derive general small-signal expressions for the α_MZM chirp parameter in terms of two new components that specify separately the chirp due to the drive signals and the chirp due to the finite extinction ratio of a dual-electrode Mach-Zehnder modulator. The expressions derived are valid for different drive signals, and can be used to predict the α_MZM chirp parameter of a dual-electrode Mach-Zehnder modulator when biased around the quadrature point. The results obtained analytically and by simulation show excellent agreement.