An optical modulator includes a photonic substrate a first modulator arm disposed on the photonic substrate. The first modulator arm is configured to modulate a first optical signal portion of an input optical signal at a first signal level. The optical modulator further includes a second modulator arm disposed on the photonic substrate. The second modulator arm is configured to modulate a second optical signal portion of the input optical signal at a second signal level that is different from the first signal level. The optical modulator further includes an optical combiner configured combine the first optical signal portion at the first signal level and the second optical signal portion at the second signal level to impart a target chirp onto the recombined optical signal. The target chirp is based on a signal level difference between the first signal level and the second signal level.