Experimental demonstration of broadband Lorentz non-reciprocity in an integrable photonic architecture based on Mach-Zehnder modulators

TL;DR

This paper presents the first active optical isolator and circulator using Mach-Zehnder modulators, achieving broadband non-reciprocity over 8.7 THz with low insertion loss, advancing integrated photonic circuit capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel photonic architecture for broadband Lorentz non-reciprocity using commercial modulators in a linear platform.

Findings

Over 12.5 dB isolation achieved

Bandwidth of 8.7 THz demonstrated

Total insertion loss of 9.1 dB reported

Abstract

We demonstrate the first active optical isolator and circulator implemented in a linear and reciprocal material platform using commercial Mach-Zehnder modulators. In a proof-of-principle experiment based on single-mode polarization-maintaining fibers, we achieve more than 12.5 dB isolation over an unprecedented 8.7 THz bandwidth at telecommunication wavelengths, with only 9.1 dB total insertion loss. Our architecture provides a practical answer to the challenge of non-reciprocal light routing in photonic integrated circuits.