A simplified filterless photonic frequency octupling scheme based on cascaded modulators

A simplified filterless frequency octupling scheme by connecting an intensity modulator (IM) with a dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder (DPMZM) in series is proposed in this paper. The LO signal is distributed into two parts, and one part is used to drive the IM and the other part is applied to drive the DPMZM’s upper sub-modulator, both at the peak point. The lower sub-modulator is only driven by dc bias, and the parent modulator works at null point. By properly adjusting dc bias of the lower sub-modulator, only ±4th-order optical sidebands dominate at the output of the DPMZM. The approach is verified by experiments, and 32-GHz and 40-GHz millimetre waves (mm-waves) are generated using 4-GHz and 5-GHz LO signals, respectively. We acquire a 15-dB electrical spurious suppression ratio (ESSR) and a relatively good phase noise of the signal. Compared with other schemes, the scheme is simple in configuration because only an IM and a DPMZM are needed. What’s more, the scheme is tunable in frequency as no filter is used.     

Photonic full-range phase shifter with simultaneous tunable frequency multiplying capability based on a DMZM

In this paper, a novel microwave photonic full-range phase shifter with simultaneous frequency-multiplying capability is proposed. The main device is a dual-drive Mach–Zehnder modulator (DMZM) embedded in a Sagnac loop. Under the assistance of two electrical phase shifters (EPS) and a following polarizer (Pol), the optical carrier is eliminated with desired phase tunable carrier-suppressed double-sideband (CS-DSB) signal reserved. So after photoelectric conversion, the frequency-multiplied phase tunable signals are generated. The frequency multiplication factor (FMF) switching and phase tuning operation of multiplied signals can be achieved easily by adjusting the corresponding EPS. The simulation results show that the proposed structure driven by a 10?GHz RF signal can generate a frequency-doubled signal (20?GHz) or frequency-quadrupled signal (40?GHz) that features full-phase tunable range and flat power response. What is more, the proposed phase shifter has a relatively good robustness to the non-ideal factors, large frequency operation range and good frequency tunable capability.     

Tunable multi-tap microwave photonic filter with complex coefficients using a dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulator

We propose and demonstrate a tunable multi-tap microwave photonic filter (MPF) with complex coefficients. It is based on addition of carrier suppressed single sideband (CS-SSB) signal and phase-controllable optical carrier. Instead of using the technique of optical filtering, the CS-SSB signal is generated by a dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulator (DPMZM) in our scheme. Frequency tuning of the filter is achieved by changing the phase of the optical carrier, which can be controlled by a variable optical delay line (VDL). The proposed structure features high flexibility and wideband RF response, and the experimental results demonstrate that it can be tuned continuously over one free spectral range (FSR) without changing the spectral shape of the filter.     

Coherence-free microwave photonic notch filter with a single driver intensity modulator in a Sagnac fiber loop

A coherence-free microwave photonic filter configuration is presented. The configuration is based on a Sagnac loop interferometer containing a single-drive intensity modulator without a nonreciprocal bias unit. A notch response is obtained by modulating the clockwise and counterclockwise propagating waves inside the Sagnac loop at different times. A general theoretical analysis for both the reflected signal and the transmitted signal is obtained. Measured results verify the theoretical expressions and demonstrate a robust notch filter response.     

Robust and environmental insensitive fiber optic Sagnac interferometer for microwave photonic applications

A technique that allows a fiber optic Sagnac interferometer based microwave photonic device to be implemented using non-polarization maintaining components inside the Sagnac loop while still obtaining an output that is insensitive to changes in environmental conditions is presented. It is based on inserting the non-polarization maintaining components in between a polarization beam combiner and a Faraday rotator mirror inside the loop. The technique also introduces a phase bias to the light propagating inside the loop. Experimental results demonstrate that the discretely and continuously tunable Sagnac loop based signal processors implemented using non-polarization maintaining components have an environmentally insensitive frequency response.     

High performance photonic microwave frequency down-conversion using a dual-drive dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator

Photonic microwave frequency down-conversion based on carrier suppression single sideband (CS-SSB) modulation via an integrated dual-drive dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator (DP-MZM) is proposed. The MZM on the up path of the DP-MZM is used to generate SSB modulation signal, while the MZM on the bottom path of the DP-MZM is unmodulated. By adjusting the amplitude and phase of the unmodulated optical carrier, two optical carriers are cancelled out, which improves the performance of the system with reduced local oscillator (LO) power and large suppression of mixing spurious sidebands. The frequency down-conversion approach is theoretically analyzed and verified by simulation. Simulation results show that the power of frequency down-conversion signal is at least 39?dB higher than that of the mixing spurious sidebands. Besides, 9.5?dB gain, 2.8?dB noise figure (NF) and 1.9?dB spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) improvements can be obtained compared with the previous OCS modulation frequency down-conversion scheme while the required LO power is 10?dB, 5?dB and 5?dB lower than that of the OCS modulation scheme, respectively.     

An optical millimeter-wave generation scheme based on two parallel dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulators and polarization multiplexing

A novel filterless optical millimeter-wave signal generation scheme is proposed. In the scheme, the undesired sidebands are suppressed using two parallel dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulators (MZMs) with different modulation indexes and polarization multiplexing, and frequency multiplication factor as high as 16 can be achieved. Simulation results show that 80, 120, and 160 GHz signals are generated through a 10 GHz RF signal using the proposed method, and the performance of the generated signals is good when commercially available MZMs with extinction ratio of 20–30 dB are used. The scheme has large tunability of modulation index for frequency octupling and 12-tupling signals generation and high stability against the RF driving voltage deviation for frequency 16-tupling generation.     

New interferometric fiber-optic gyroscope with amplified optical feedback

A novel interferometric fiber-optic gyroscope with amplified optical feedback by an Er-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is proposed and theoretically investigated (the proposed gyroscope is named the feedback EDFA-FOG, FE-FOG in what follows). The FE-FOG functions like a resonant fiber-optic gyro (R-FOG) because of its multiple utilization of the Sagnac loop; however, it is completely different because a low-coherence light source is used. In addition, the gyro output signal is pulsed because the modulation frequency of the phase modulator placed in the Sagnac loop is selected to match the total round-trip time delay of the light, which includes the Sagnac-loop delay plus that of the feedback loop of the fiber amplifier. The sharpness of the output pulse can be adjusted by both the gain of an EDFA and the modulation depth of the phase modulator. When rotation occurs the peak position of the output pulse is shifted as a result of the Sagnac effect. The resolution of the rotation measurement depends on the sharpness of the output pulse. The techniques of both the open-loop and closed-loop methods are described in detail, which shows the great advantage of the proposed gyroscope over the to the conventional interferometric fiber-optical gyroscope (I-FOG).     

Theory study on a range-extended and resolution-improved microwave frequency measurement

A range-extended and resolution-improved approach for microwave frequency measurement is proposed. In this system, a single laser source, a polarization modulator, and a dispersive element are shared to construct different amplitude comparison functions (ACFs) simultaneously via tuning the polarization angles of four photonic links. These ACFs owning relatively high slope are used jointly to estimate the microwave frequency so that the measurement range is extended beyond the monotonic region of a single ACF and the resolution is also improved by selecting a higher–slope ACF. With theory analysis and simulation verification, a measurement range of 2–20 GHz with a resolution better than 100 MHz is obtained.     

Filterless frequency octupling circuit using dual stage cascaded polarization modulators

This paper demonstrates the photonic generation of millimetre-wave carriers by frequency octupling of a radio frequency (RF) carrier using a circuit with two parallel arms each containing two polarization modulators in series. The low RF drive power required and the absence of optical filters make this architecture suitable for generating highly stable and tunable optical millimetre-waves. A transfer function representation is used to analyse the operation and a simulation using Virtual Photonic Inc. software package is presented as a proof of concept. The simulation results show very high unwanted optical and electrical side harmonic suppression ratio for a wide range of modulation index compared to the prior art. Further, considering the practical scenario, operating tolerance against the imbalances in the key parameters is established. The unwanted RF sidebands are more than 19?dB and 30 dB below the desired signal power even when a deviation of ±3° is considered in individual RF phase and polarizer angle respectively.     

Response of a Fabry-Perot optical cavity to phase modulation sidebands for use in electro-optic control systems

The worldwide endeavor to build long baseline laser interferometers to detect and study gravitational radiation is well under way. In the German-British GEO600 project, it is proposed to pass the sidebands induced on the light by an electro-optic phase modulator through a Fabry-Perot optical cavity used in transmission, called a mode cleaner. This can be achieved when the phase modulation frequency is matched to the first longitudinal-mode frequency of the mode cleaner cavity so that both carrier and sidebands are transmitted. The primary function of the mode cleaner is to reduce the geometry fluctuations associated with the light, and thus any such noise induced by the modulation process is also suppressed. We present the results of an experiment that investigates the feasibility of passing modulation sidebands through an optical cavity and the factors limiting its success. In particular, we show that it is possible to avoid introducing excess noise associated with the transmitted sidebands, provided that certain experimental criteria are satisfied. The research was carried out on a prototype mode cleaner cavity built and tested at Glasgow University but which is similar to the equivalent apparatus planned for GEO600.     

Tunable microwave filter that uses a high-birefringent fiber and a differential-group-delay element

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel and simple photonic microwave notch filter that uses a high-birefringent fiber that gives a fixed differential group delay (DGD), together with a DGD element that gives a tunable DGD. This configuration overcomes the problems of optical coherence interference and chromatic dispersion, which may occur in schemes that use fiber delay lines or fiber gratings. Also presented is a theoretical analysis for the performance of the microwave filter that uses the present configuration. The present scheme provides a continuous tuning capability for changing the notch frequency. Measured notch rejection is greater than 40 dB. This scheme can operate over a wide wavelength range of the optical carrier. There is good agreement between experiment results and theoretical analysis.     

Photonic metamaterials: a new class of materials for manipulating light waves

Abstract

A decade of research on metamaterials (MMs) has yielded great progress in artificial electromagnetic materials in a wide frequency range from microwave to optical frequencies. This review outlines the achievements in photonic MMs that can efficiently manipulate light waves from near-ultraviolet to near-infrared in subwavelength dimensions. One of the key concepts of MMs is effective refractive index, realizing values that have not been obtained in ordinary solid materials. In addition to the high and low refractive indices, negative refractive indices have been reported in some photonic MMs. In anisotropic photonic MMs of high-contrast refractive indices, the polarization and phase of plane light waves were efficiently transformed in a well-designed manner, enabling remarkable miniaturization of linear optical devices such as polarizers, wave plates and circular dichroic devices. Another feature of photonic MMs is the possibility of unusual light propagation, paving the way for a new subfield of transfer optics. MM lenses having super-resolution and cloaking effects were introduced by exploiting novel light-propagating modes. Here, we present a new approach to describing photonic MMs definitely by resolving the electromagnetic eigenmodes. Two representative photonic MMs are addressed: the so-called fishnet MM slabs, which are known to have effective negative refractive index, and a three-dimensional MM based on a multilayer of a metal and an insulator. In these photonic MMs, we elucidate the underlying eigenmodes that induce unusual light propagations. Based on the progress of photonic MMs, the future potential and direction are discussed.     

All-optical analog-to-digital conversion scheme based on Sagnac loop and balanced receivers

An all-optical analog-to-digital conversion scheme based on a Sagnac loop and balanced receivers is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Adjustable phase shift about the transfer function of the Sagnac loop is obtained by using the multiwavelength optical pulses to realize the phase-shift optical quantization. Benefit from the complementary outputs at the transmitted and reflected ports of the Sagnac loop and balanced receiver can be used to obtain the quantized output binary signal for the encoding operation. A proof-of-concept experiment is implemented using a wavelength tunable continuous-wave laser diode. Using 16 different wavelengths, the 16 quantization levels are demonstrated and an effective number of bits (ENOB) of 4?bits is obtained.     

Infinite impulse response microwave photonic filter using a dual drive modulator with an optoelectronic feedback loop

A novel design of a microwave photonic filter with infinite impulse response is demonstrated. The design is based on a dual drive modulator with an optoelectronic feedback loop. The stopband of the filter can be switched to passband and vice versa by switching the bias point of the dual drive modulator. Measured results confirm the theoretical expressions and demonstrate a rejection ratio and frequency selectivity which is greater than 30 dB.     

Simultaneous dual free spectral range microwave photonic filter using a high-birefringence chirped grating in a Sagnac loop

We propose a continuously tunable, dual free spectral range (FSR) photonic microwave notch filter configuration using a high-birefringence linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating (Hi-Bi LCFBG) that is connected in a Sagnac loop using a Hi-Bi coupler. The configuration employs double sideband modulation and can generate two FSRs simultaneously. The larger FSR corresponds to the differential time delay of the Hi-Bi LCFBG and the Hi-Bi pigtails of the coupler; the smaller FSR corresponds to the time delay between the arms of the Sagnac loop. Measured results demonstrate dual FSR, a large notch rejection, and that the FSR is easily tunable by tuning the LCFBG. We also present the filter transfer function for the design. Experimental results agree well with the theoretical analysis.     

使用双电极Mach-Zehnder调制器产生毫米波的新型mm-ROF系统

针对光学倍乘法生成的毫米波幅度难以调整到最佳的问题,提出使用双电极Mach-Zehnder调制器生成毫米波的方案.光波进入双电极调制器分为两路分虽由两反相的微波信号调相,叠加后产生FM-IM转换效应,经光电转换后产生的高次谐波含有毫米波成分,只需调整调相指数就可使所需的毫米波幅度最大.另外还提出用子载波调制并充分利用MZ强度调制器的非线性特性实现为上行链路提供远程本振的方法.仿真系统实现了数据在上下行链路的传输,证明基于该毫米波生成技术和远程本振产生方法的毫米波ROF系统的可行性.     

Chaotic ultra-wideband radio generator based on an optoelectronic oscillator with a built-in microwave photonic filter

We induce a microwave photonic bandpass filter into an optoelectronic oscillator to generate a chaotic ultra-wideband signal in both the optical and electrical domain. The theoretical analysis and numerical simulation indicate that this system is capable of generating band-limited high-dimensional chaos. Experimental results coincide well with the theoretical prediction and show that the power spectrum of the generated chaotic signal basically meets the Federal Communications Commission indoor mask. The generated chaotic carrier is further intensity modulated by a 10 MHz square wave, and the waveform of the output ultra-wideband signal is measured for demonstrating the chaotic on-off keying modulation.     

Optical modulator based on coupled photonic crystal cavities

Abstract

We propose and numerically investigate an optical signal modulator based on two-photonic crystal nanobeam cavities coupled through a waveguide. The suggested modulator shifts the resonant frequency over a scalable range. We design a compact optical modulator based on photonic crystal nanobeams cavities that exhibits high stability to manufacturing. Photonic crystal waveguide tuning in the low-intensity region of the resonant mode is demonstrated. The advantages of the suggested approach over the single-resonator optical modulator approaches include the possibilities to shift the modulator frequency over a scalable range that depends on switching energy level and to effectively electrically tune the device in the low-intensity region of the resonant mode.     

汞离子微波频标光学设计

汞离子微波频标利用汞灯进行抽运,可实现小型化,同时具备体积小、指标高的优势,未来可在卫星导航、深空探测和守时中得到广泛应用。为了提高抽运效率及降低噪底,需要进行汞灯光学设计,使抽运光通过四极阱中心与囚禁离子充分作用的同时减少与真空腔及四极杆的反射。首先提出遮挡光源法和非等比例放大法两种光学设计方法。然后介绍了两种设计方法的具体设计过程和设计结果,并比较了两种光学设计方法汞灯的能量利用率。最后利用非等比例放大法进行光路优化设计,并完成了物理系统信号探测实验。实验结果表明：采用该光学设计方案,汞离子光微波双共振跃迁信号幅度提高了20%以上。