Mach-Zehnder Device
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Overview
The Mach-Zehnder (MZ)device is used to modulate the light passing through a channel by applying an electric current. This technology is widely used in fiber optic communications. New electro-optic polymers can be used in the channel to achieve higher switch speed and lower turn on voltages.
Significance
The MZ devices is based on interference. An incoming wave of light is split into two paths. One path goes through some kind of electro-optical material and then is recombined with the other light path. Small changes in the index of refraction of the electro-optical material controlled by the electric current slightly changes the phase of the light on that path. When it recombines with the original light constructive or destructive interference occurs. <swf width="500" height="400">http://depts.washington.edu/cmditr/media/mz.swf</swf>