GigOptix TFPS Mach-Zehnder modulators now fully Telcordia qualified

SAN JOSE, USA: GigOptix Inc., a leading fabless supplier of semiconductor and optical components that enable high-speed information streaming, today announced the completion of reliability qualification for its Mach-Zehnder Modulators (MZM) that are implemented using GigOptix’s proprietary Thin Film Polymer on Silicon (TFPS) technology.

The full compliance of the TFPS modulator series of products as tested against Telcordia GR-468 standard, is a monumental milestone for GigOptix, as this is the first polymer modulator to come to market, fully qualified, that will truly disrupt the current market for Mach-Zehnder Modulators (MZM).

The TFPS modulators offer significant advantages over the existing crystalline semiconductor technologies used today. GigOptix’s proprietary material enables industry leading low drive voltage in the smallest form factor available. The low drive voltage reduces power consumption by more than 20 percent compared to competing modulator technologies, while the small form factor enables smaller 300pin optical transponders. The modulators also offer simpler manufacturing processes and larger bandwidth.

Intrinsic polymer material properties and TFPS modulator processing allows the modulator to reside on the same silicon chip as the silicon-based drivers, offering an integration platform for small footprint components. The technology also allows for the integration of the modulator, laser, and driver in a small footprint module.

Dr. Raluca Dinu, GigOptix’s VP and GM of Optics, states, “After more than 10 years of hard work and groundbreaking innovation, our revolutionary TFPS products and materials are now fully qualified and available commercially to the market.”

“Three years ago, when GigOptix acquired Lumera, we could only dream of what the proprietary polymer material could accomplish and with the full Telcordia qualification of the TFPS modulators, we finally see one of those dreams turn to reality,” stated Dr. Avi Katz, chairman and CEO of GigOptix. “The team has brought a highly innovative product from a R&D experiment into a fully qualified, highly disruptive, commercial product. I have the deepest of respect and gratitude for the entire GigOptix team in bringing this vision to fruition.”

Passing the stringent requirements of the Telcordia GR-468 is essential, as it demonstrates that the TFPS modulators meet the long-term reliability standards required by today’s telecommunication sub-system and system integrators.

The TFPS modulators have passed the specific testing requirements as outline in the Telcordia GR-468 standard including:

High Temperature Operation Lifetime (HTOL) tested at 85° C
Temperature cycling
Low temperature storage
Vibration, mechanical and thermal shock
Fiber pull, twist, and cable retention testing.

The LX8401 (40G DPSK) MZM is available in production quantities. The LX8220 (40G DQPSK), LX8900 (100G Dual Drive NRZ), and LX8901 (100G DPSK) MZMs are available for sampling.