Lithium Niobate Electro-Optic Modulators, Fiber-Coupled (765 nm - 1090 nm)

Up to 40 GHz Lithium Niobate (LiNbO₃) Modulators
785 nm, 850 nm, or 1060 nm Wavelength Operation
Annealed Proton-Exchange Waveguides
Fiber-Coupled, High-Speed Modulation

LNY1010F

1060 nm 10 GHz Phase Modulator, FC/PC Connectors

LNY85D2A

850 nm 200 MHz Phase Modulator, FC/APC Connectors

LNX7840A

785 nm 40 GHz Intensity Modulator, FC/APC Connectors

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Overview
Pin Diagrams
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Lithium Niobate Intensity Modulator Diagram

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This operational diagram of an intensity modulator shows the waveguide (blue lines) splitting into two paths embedded in the surface of the LiNbO₃ (green). The input light is first affected by the modulating RF drive voltage and then the DC bias voltage, as shown by the boxed yellow regions.

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The cross-section of an X-Cut LiNbO₃ intensity modulator with annealed proton-exchange waveguide technology. The transverse electric (TE)-polarized mode is shown in the upper right.

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This operational diagram of a phase modulator shows the waveguide (blue line) as one through optical path embedded in the surface of the LiNbO₃ (green). The input light is affected only by the modulating RF drive voltage, as shown by the boxed yellow region.

APE Waveguide Technology

APE waveguides are formed by exchanging lithium ions with a proton source such as H⁺. This is accomplished by submerging LiNbO₃ in an acid melt rich in H⁺ ions, resulting in a change in the material's refractive index. Following this, the waveguides are annealed at high temperature to remove excess hydrogen from the exchanged region, leading to a stable waveguide. This annealing stage also transforms the step-index waveguides to gradient-index waveguides with greatly reduced single-mode propagation loss.

The APE process causes an increase in the extraordinary refractive index, but a decrease in the ordinary refractive index, meaning only the transverse electric (TE)-polarized mode is allowed to propagate. APE waveguides have significantly reduced photorefractive sensitivity compared to titanium-indiffused waveguides, enabling high-speed modulation at shorter wavelengths.

Features

Intensity (LNX Series) or Phase (LNY Series) Modulators Available
785 nm, 850 nm, or 1060 nm Wavelength Operation
Annealed Proton-Exchange Waveguides
X-Cut Lithium Niobate (LiNbO₃)
Low Optical Insertion Loss: ≤5 dB (LNX Series) or ≤4 dB (LNY Series)
Long-Term Bias Stability
Reduced Photorefractive Sensitivity Compared to Titanium-Indiffused Waveguides
Polarization-Maintaining (PM) Input and Output Fiber Pigtails
FC/PC or FC/APC Fiber Connectors

Common Applications

Quantum Optics
High-Speed Telecommunications
Test and Measurement

Thorlabs offers lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) modulators for 785 nm, 850 nm, or 1060 nm wavelength applications. These high-performance devices are based on annealed proton-exchange (APE) waveguide technology, offer low optical insertion loss of ≤5 dB for intensity modulators or ≤4 dB for phase modulators, and are ideal for developing high-speed modulation systems.

The modulators on this page are fabricated from X-cut LiNbO₃ (see the example diagram to the top right). For intensity modulators, which are denoted with the LNX prefix, a symmetrical design is employed to minimize frequency-chirp in the modulated signal. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer structure is used to allow modulation of the optical output power of the LiNbO₃ optical intensity modulators, as shown by the operational diagram to the top far right. These devices include electrical connections for the modulation driving signal and for biasing the modulator. For phase modulators, items that are denoted with the LNY prefix, the X-cut waveguide structure allows for phase modulation of light while retaining a high polarization extinction ratio. An operational diagram of a phase modulator is shown to the right. Since the phase modulators do not require biasing, these devices only include an electrical connection for the modulation driving signal. Please see the Pin Diagrams tab for more details.

The input and output fiber pigtails of the modulators are made from polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber and are terminated with FC/PC or FC/APC connectors. The narrow key of the fiber connector is aligned to the slow axis of the modulator. Please note that mixed FC/PC and FC/APC connectors can be provided upon request. For more information on custom configurations (e.g., connectors, wavelengths) and quotes, please contact Tech Support.

The performance of each modulator is factory tested, and a test result summary is included with each device. The test results and tabular data can be downloaded by clicking on the red Docs icon () next to the Item # and entering your modulator's serial number under "Download Serial Item Data".

Our MX40G-850 fiber-optic, calibrated electrical-to-optical converter incorporates the LNX8540x modulators. For more information on custom integrated solutions and quotes for configurations that combine modulators with lasers, bias controllers, and amplifiers, please contact us.

785 nm Modulator Pin Diagram

785 nm 40 GHz Intensity Modulator Pin Diagram

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LNX7840F and LNX7840A 40 GHz Intensity Modulators Pin Diagram

785 nm 10 GHz Phase Modulator Pin Diagram

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LNY7810F and LNY7810A 10 GHz Phase Modulators Pin Diagram

850 nm Modulator Pin Diagrams

850 nm 40 GHz Intensity Modulator Pin Diagram

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LNX8540F and LNX8540A 40 GHz Intensity Modulators Pin Diagram

850 nm 10 GHz Intensity Modulator Pin Diagram

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LNY8510F and LNY8510A 10 GHz Phase Modulators Pin Diagram

850 nm 200 MHz Intensity Modulator Pin Diagram

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LNY85D2F and LNY85D2A 200 MHz Phase Modulators Pin Diagram

1060 nm Modulator Pin Diagrams

1060 nm 20 GHz Intensity Modulator Pin Diagram

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LNX1020F and LNX1020A 20 GHz Intensity Modulators Pin Diagram

1060 nm 40 GHz Intensity Modulator Pin Diagram

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LNX1040F and LNX1040A 40 GHz Intensity Modulators Pin Diagram

1060 nm 200 MHz Intensity Modulator Pin Diagram

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LNY10D2F and LNY10D2A 200 MHz Phase Modulators Pin Diagram

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LNY1010F and LNY1010A 10 GHz Phase Modulators Pin Diagram

Posted Comments:

user (posted 2024-05-21 19:13:14.483)

Can you suggest suitable instrument/s for spectral characterization (observation of side bands & power in each side band; half wave voltage from drop in carrier amplitude etc.,) of phase modulator LNY1010A ? Is SA210-8B suitable for modulation frequencies of 2-3GHz? Please contact me by email srikanth@rrcat.gov.in.

jpolaris (posted 2024-06-03 07:44:44.0)

Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. If the sideband spacing is greater than 67 MHz and less than 10 GHz, which are the resolution and free spectral range of SA210-8B, respectively, then the sidebands should be observable with that particular Fabry-Pérot interferometer. This assumes that the power transferred into these sidebands is appreciable enough to be detected by the photodiode in the interferometer. I have reached out to you directly to discuss further. Also, we have a page that goes into some detail about sideband measurement with a Fabry-Pérot interferometer located here: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_ID=3918&tabname=lab%20facts

Paul Hamilton (posted 2023-12-14 09:44:02.023)

I'd like to use the LNY8510 at 894 nm. I know the spec says a max wavelength of 870 nm. Do you have any data for operation at 894 nm? Thanks!

ksosnowski (posted 2023-12-29 08:48:21.0)

Hello Paul, thanks for reaching out to Thorlabs. We have successfully operated the LNX8540 at 940 nm. Based on this, we expect the LNY8510A should work at 894 nm. The caveat is that we cannot guarantee all of the specs (e.g., Vpi will be higher).

艾传韡 (posted 2023-10-19 16:26:54.75)

您好，想咨询一下目前铌酸锂强度调制器为何在可见光波段无法实现呢

jpolaris (posted 2023-10-23 12:29:47.0)

Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. English translation: "Why does Thorlabs not offer any Lithium Niobate Intensity Modulators that work in the visible wavelength band?" We have plans to release a Lithium Niobate Intensity Modulator that will operate down to 775 nm in the near future. 775 nm is at the edge of what the current process used to make these particular Lithium Niobate Intensity Modulators is capable of producing. Below 775 nm, the Lithium Niobate begins to act strange, partially due to photorefractive damage, and partially due to nonlinear effects which begin to occur quickly as the wavelength gets shorter.

785 nm Intensity Modulators

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Applications

Analog Modulation Up to 40 GHz
Quantum Optics
Pulse Generation
Test and Measurement

The LNX7840F and LNX7840A high-speed intensity modulators have FC/PC or FC/APC connectors, respectively, and provide up to 40 GHz of modulation over the 775 nm to 830 nm operating range. The RF port input connector is an Anritsu (V) female spark plug (1.85 mm compatible) connector.

Item #	Info	Operating Wavelength	Operating Frequency Range^a	Optical Insertion Loss^b	Optical Return Loss	Optical Extinction Ratio (@ DC)^c	Optical Input Power^d	RF V_π^e	Crystal Orientation	Connector Type
LNX7840F		775 nm - 830 nm	DC to 40 GHz (Min)	≤5 dB (4.5 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤20 mW	≤4.8 V (4.0 V Typ.)	X-Cut	FC/PC
LNX7840A		775 nm - 830 nm	DC to 40 GHz (Min)	≤5 dB (4.5 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤20 mW	≤4.8 V (4.0 V Typ.)	X-Cut	FC/APC

Operating frequency range is defined as the frequency range where the response rolls off smoothly without irregular features.
10 mW Input, Peak Bias, Without Connector
10 mW Input, DC
Absolute Maximum Rating
@ 1 GHz

785 nm Phase Modulators

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Applications

Quantum Optics
Frequency Modulation
Spectrum Broadening
Laser Stabilization
Coherent Communications
Test and Measurement

The LNY7810F and LNY7810A high-speed phase modulators have FC/PC or FC/APC connectors, respectively, and provide up to 10 GHz of modulation over the 765 nm to 805 nm operating range. The RF port input connector is a field-replaceable 2.92 mm female connector.

Item #	Info	Operating Wavelength	Operating Frequency Range^a	Optical Insertion Loss^b	Optical Return Loss	Polarization Extinction Ratio (@ DC)^c	Optical Input Power^d	RF V_π^e	Crystal Orientation	Connector Type
LNY7810F		765 nm - 805 nm	DC to 10 GHz (Min)	≤4 dB (3 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤25 mW	≤5.2 V (4.2 V Typ.)	X-Cut	FC/PC
LNY7810A		765 nm - 805 nm	DC to 10 GHz (Min)	≤4 dB (3 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤25 mW	≤5.2 V (4.2 V Typ.)	X-Cut	FC/APC

Operating frequency range is defined as the frequency range where the response rolls off smoothly without irregular features.
20 mW Input, Without Connector
20 mW Input
Absolute Maximum Rating
@ 1 GHz

850 nm Intensity Modulators

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Applications

Analog Modulation Up to 40 GHz
WDM Transmission
Quantum Optics
High-Speed Telecommunications
Test and Measurement

The LNX8540F and LNX8540A high-speed intensity modulators have FC/PC or FC/APC connectors, respectively, and provide up to 40 GHz of modulation over the 830 nm to 870 nm operating range. The RF port input connector is a 1.85 mm female connector.

Item #	Info	Operating Wavelength	Operating Frequency Range	Optical Insertion Loss^a	Optical Return Loss	Optical Extinction Ratio (@ DC)^b	Optical Input Power^c	RF V_π^d	Crystal Orientation	Connector Type
LNX8540F		830 nm - 870 nm	DC to 40 GHz (Min)	≤5 dB (4.5 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤25 mW	≤5.3 V (4.8 V Typ.)	X-Cut	FC/PC
LNX8540A		830 nm - 870 nm	DC to 40 GHz (Min)	≤5 dB (4.5 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤25 mW	≤5.3 V (4.8 V Typ.)	X-Cut	FC/APC

20 mW Input, Peak Bias, Without Connector
20 mW Input
Absolute Maximum Rating
@ 1 GHz

850 nm Phase Modulators

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The LNY85D2x series modulator shown above is connected for single-ended operation with the included RF modulator cable. When connecting the cable, make sure to align the side of the 2-pin receptacle marked with the arrow and "-" to "V-" on the modulator.

Applications

Quantum Optics
Frequency Modulation
Spectrum Broadening
Laser Stabilization
Coherent Communications
Test and Measurement

The LNY85D2x and LNY8510x Phase Modulators provide up to either 200 MHz or 10 GHz of modulation for wavelengths from 830 to 870 nm, respectively. Both the 200 MHz and 10 GHz modulators are available with either FC/PC or FC/APC connectors. The RF port input connector pins on the LNY85D2x modulators can be driven single-ended (connecting to one set of pins) or differentially (connecting both pin sets); a separate 20" BNC female to 2-pin receptacle cable is included with these modulators. For the LNY8510x modulators, the RF port input connector is a field-replaceable 2.92 mm female connector.

Item #	Operating Wavelength	Operating Frequency Range	Optical Insertion Loss^a	Optical Return Loss	Polarization Extinction Ratio (@ DC)^b	Optical Input Power^c	RF V_π	Crystal Orientation	Connector Type
LNY85D2F	830 nm - 870 nm	DC to 200 MHz (Min)	≤4 dB (3 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤25 mW	≤1.5 V (1.3 V Typ.)^d	X-Cut	FC/PC
LNY85D2A		DC to 200 MHz (Min)	≤4 dB (3 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤25 mW	≤1.5 V (1.3 V Typ.)^d	X-Cut	FC/APC
LNY8510F		DC to 10 GHz (Min)	≤4 dB (3 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤25 mW	≤5.2 V (4.8 V Typ.)^e	X-Cut	FC/PC
LNY8510A		DC to 10 GHz (Min)	≤4 dB (3 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤25 mW	≤5.2 V (4.8 V Typ.)^e	X-Cut	FC/APC

20 mW Input, Without Connector
20 mW Input
Absolute Maximum Rating
@ 10 kHz
@ 1 GHz

1060 nm Intensity Modulators

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Applications

Analog Modulation Up to 40 GHz
RF-Over-Fiber (RFOF) and Microwave Photonics
Pulse Generation for Ytterbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers (YDFA)
Quantum Optics
High-Speed Telecommunications
Test and Measurement

The LNX1020x and LNX1040x high-speed intensity modulators provide up to 20 GHz or 40 GHz, respectively, of modulation over the 1030 nm to 1090 nm operating range. Both the 20 GHz and 40 GHz modulators are available with either FC/PC or FC/APC connectors. The RF port input connector is a field-replaceable 2.92 mm female connector for the LNX1020x or an Anritsu (V) female spark plug (1.85 mm compatible) connector for the LNX1040x.

Item #	Operating Wavelength	Operating Frequency Range^a	Optical Insertion Loss^b	Optical Return Loss	Optical Extinction Ratio (@ DC)^c	Optical Input Power^d	RF V_π^e	Crystal Orientation	Connector Type
LNX1020F	1030 nm - 1090 nm	DC to 20 GHz (Min)	≤5 dB (4.5 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤350 mW	≤4.5 V (4.0 V Typ.)	X-Cut	FC/PC
LNX1020A		DC to 20 GHz (Min)					≤4.5 V (4.0 V Typ.)		FC/APC
LNX1040F		DC to 40 GHz (Min)					≤4.2 V (3.9 V Typ.)		FC/PC
LNX1040A		DC to 40 GHz (Min)					≤4.2 V (3.9 V Typ.)		FC/APC

Operating frequency range is defined as the frequency range where the response rolls off smoothly without irregular features.
20 mW Input, Peak Bias, Without Connector
20 mW Input
Absolute Maximum Rating
@ 1 GHz

1060 nm Phase Modulators

Zoom

Applications

Quantum Optics
Frequency Modulation
Spectrum Broadening
Laser Stabilization
Coherent Communications
Test and Measurement

The LNY10D2x and LNY1010x Phase Modulators provide up to either 200 MHz or 10 GHz of modulation for wavelengths from 1030 nm to 1070 nm or 1030 nm to 1090 nm, respectively. Both the 200 MHz and 10 GHz modulators are available with either FC/PC or FC/APC connectors. The RF port input connector pins on the LNY10D2x modulators can be driven single-ended (unterminated) or differentially; a separate 20" BNC female to 2-pin receptacle cable is included with these modulators. For the LNY1010x modulators, the RF port input connector is a field-replaceable 2.92 mm female connector.

Item #	Operating Wavelength	Operating Frequency Range	Optical Insertion Loss^a	Optical Return Loss	Polarization Extinction Ratio (@ DC)^b	Optical Input Power^c	RF V_π	Crystal Orientation	Connector Type
LNY10D2F	1030 nm - 1070 nm	DC to 200 MHz (Min)	≤3.5 dB (3 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤500 mW	≤1.5 V (1.3 V Typ.)^d	X-Cut	FC/PC
LNY10D2A	1030 nm - 1070 nm	DC to 200 MHz (Min)	≤3.5 dB (3 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤500 mW	≤1.5 V (1.3 V Typ.)^d	X-Cut	FC/APC
LNY1010F	1030 nm - 1090 nm	DC to 10 GHz (Min)	≤3.5 dB (3 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤100 mW	≤6.8 V (6.2 V Typ.)^e	X-Cut	FC/PC
LNY1010A	1030 nm - 1090 nm	DC to 10 GHz (Min)	≤3.5 dB (3 dB Typ.)	≥30 dB	≥20 dB	≤100 mW	≤6.8 V (6.2 V Typ.)^e	X-Cut	FC/APC

20 mW Input, Without Connector
20 mW Input
Absolute Maximum Rating
@ 10 kHz
@ 1 GHz