The small-signal \alpha-parameter of a semiconductor Mach-Zehnder modulator depends on the device design and on the bias and modulation voltages applied to the two independent drive electrodes. In particular, for the range of applied voltages which correspond to switching the modulator from the off state to the on state, the \alpha-parameter varies significantly. Effective, large-signal \alpha-parameters provide a convenient and concise description of the modulator chirp. For a multiple quantum well Mach-Zehnder modulator, a comparison is made between four effective \alpha-parameters; a transmission performance \alpha-parameter, an on/off \alpha-parameter, a 3 dB \alpha-parameter and a chirp \alpha-parameter. Both conventional and phase-shifted modulators are considered.

[IEEE ]

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription