Avanex Expands its Lithium-Niobate External Modulator Product Family
Wednesday January 17, 8:30 am ET
FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avanex Corporation (Nasdaq: AVNX - News), a pioneer of intelligent photonic solutions that enable next-generation optical networks, today announced the addition of Z-cut technology to its Lithium-Niobate (LiNbO3) external modulator product line, expanding Avanex's leading portfolio of 12.5 Gb/s modulator solutions.
The adoption of tunable lasers and transponders in flexible networks has increased interest in LiNbO3 electro-optic modulators, the preferred technology for wideband modulation applications. Optical designers prefer wideband electro-optic modulators for transmission capability and superior optical performance over a wide wavelength range.
Avanex now offers both Z-cut and X-cut LiNbO3 modulators to provide high-performance modulation solutions in a wide range of fiber optic systems. These modulators, which offer either "chirped" or "chirp-free" signals, provide high-performance LiNbO3 modulation for a wide variety of installed fiber bases.
"Thanks to the advent of tunable lasers in reconfigurable networks, the market for external modulators has expanded. Adding Z-cut technology to our external modulator product family approximately doubles our serviceable modulator market," said Yves Le Maitre, chief marketing officer. "Avanex is committed to satisfying customers' demand for broader product offerings and outstanding technology. We have fully mastered the demanding microlithographical processes required by Z-cut technology to deliver the same level of performance and reliability as the Avanex modulator product line."
The Z-cut and X-cut substrates are determined by the way the crystal is cut and defines the performance characteristics, including modulator efficiency and chirp. The addition of Z-cut technology strengthens Avanex's LiNbO3 external modulator portfolio and provides telecommunication equipment manufacturers with a single-source for all of their 12.5 Gb/s modulator needs.
Avanex's F10-Z is a Z-cut, pre-chirped, single-drive external modulator for 12.5 Gb/s applications that require high levels of performance and reliability. The F10-Z modulator packaging is based on Avanex's standard F10 package platform for 4" 300-pin MSA transponders, making it a very cost effective solution. The Z-cut products are fully compatible with Avanex's X-cut form factor and electrical interface and are fully compatible with existing transponder designs for F10 X-cut modulators. The Z-cut technology also has the potential for lower drive voltages, enabling transmission applications with advanced modulation formats and less expensive drive electronics. |
