Performance Limits of Depletion-Type Silicon Mach–Zehnder Modulators for Telecom Applications

In this study we discuss the performance limits of depletion-type Silicon Mach-Zehnder Modulators in terms of the critical factors of linearity, loss and required driving voltage. We introduce the parameters for already existing phase shifters and discuss optimized designs that can meet system specifications in order to make this type of modulators competitive toward the leading technologies.