Modeling of Mach-Zehnder and electroabsorption modulator pulse generators and extraction of the chirp factor

The chirp factor of optical modulators is an important parameter that relates how the induced phase varies with the instantaneous power of a generated optical pulse, from which the dynamic chirp can be obtained. The two most common modulators are Lithium Niobate Mach-Zehnder and electroabsorption modulators. This paper describes simple models of the modulator response and uses a linear pulse characterization method to measure pulse intensity and phase. The experimental chirp measurements are used in conjunction with the models to determine modulator chirp factor.