Open AccessAmplifier-free slab-coupled optical waveguide optoelectronic oscillator systems
Author(s) -
William Loh,
Siva Yegnanarayanan,
Jonathan Klamkin,
Shan M. Duff,
Jason J. Plant,
F.J. O'Donnell,
P Juodawlkis
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.20.019589
Subject(s) - phase noise , optics , materials science , amplifier , optoelectronics , optical amplifier , photodiode , microwave , waveguide , dbc , laser , physics , cmos , quantum mechanics
We demonstrate a free-running 3-GHz slab-coupled optical waveguide (SCOW) optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) with low phase-noise (<-120 dBc/Hz at 1-kHz offset) and ultra-low sidemode spurs. These sidemodes are indistinguishable from noise on a spectrum analyzer measurement (>88 dB down from carrier). The SCOW-OEO uses high-power low-noise SCOW components in a single-loop cavity employing 1.5-km delay. The noise properties of our SCOW external-cavity laser (SCOWECL) and SCOW photodiode (SCOWPD) are characterized and shown to be suitable for generation of high spectral purity microwave tones. Through comparisons made with SCOW-OEO topologies employing amplification, we observe the sidemode levels to be degraded by any amplifiers (optical or RF) introduced within the OEO cavity.