Open AccessPhotonic approach for microwave frequency measurement with adjustable measurement range and resolution using birefringence effect in highly non-linear fiber
Author(s) -
Danqi Feng,
Hongtu Xie,
Lifen Qian,
Qinhong Bai,
Junqiang Sun
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.017613
Subject(s) - optics , birefringence , interferometry , microwave , optical fiber , frequency domain , observational error , fiber optic sensor , materials science , physics , computer science , telecommunications , computer vision , statistics , mathematics
We experimentally demonstrate a novel approach for microwave frequency measurement utilizing birefringence effect in the highly non-linear fiber (HNLF). A detailed theoretical analysis is presented to implement the adjustable measurement range and resolution. By stimulating a complementary polarization-domain interferometer pair in the HNLF, a mathematical expression that relates the microwave frequency and amplitude comparison function is developed. We carry out a proof-to-concept experiment. A frequency measurement range of 2.5-30 GHz with a measurement error within 0.5 GHz is achieved except 16-17.5 GHz. This method is all-optical and requires no high-speed electronic components.