This paper introduces the first integrated polarization controller based on thin-film lithium tantalate (TFLT), aimed at overcoming polarization tracking challenges in high-speed optical interconnects, particularly those used in data-center networks. The device enables reset-free, ultrafast polarization tracking at speeds up to 2 Mrad·s⁻¹, significantly exceeding current polarization control systems. It operates with low polarization-dependent loss (PDL) below 0.3 dB, a half-wave voltage of less than 2.5 V, and exhibits negligible DC drift.
The core innovation involves a four-stage electro-optic (EO) device coupled with a finite-boundary gradient-descent (FBGD) control algorithm. This algorithm ensures smooth and continuous polarization tracking, even with the finite tuning range of phase shifters, preventing phase resets that traditionally disrupt tracking. The TFLT-based adaptive polarization controller (APC) is validated through measurements in a 400-Gbps self-homodyne coherent (SHC) transmission system, where it demonstrates reliable tracking of polarization dynamics in real-world fiber environments, including extreme disturbances.
Key features include the ability to track polarization at high speeds without loss of coherence, while maintaining stable operation under various polarization disturbances. This device, with its ultrafast response, low power consumption, and drift-free operation, paves the way for scalable, high-performance optical interconnects in AI-driven data-center networks. The performance of this system is extended to support next-generation dual-polarization intensity-modulation direct-detection (DP-IMDD) systems as well.
OMeda (Shanghai Omedasemi Co.,Ltd) was founded in 2021 by 3 doctors with more than 10 years of experience in nanpfabrication. It currently has 15 employees and has rich experience in nanofabrication (coating, lithography, etching, two-photon printing, bonding) and other processes. We support nanofabrication of 4/6/8-inch wafers.
