Simultaneous photonic generation of two microwave signals with precisely-controllable phase difference using orthogonal polarization modes

Abstract

Optical microwave or millimeter-wave generation using the beat note of two lightwaves is an attractive technique because of its advantages of frequency-tunable micro/millimeter-wave generation, high selectivity of the operation frequency, and high-speed phase switching of the generated signals owing to the photonics-based scheme. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate the simultaneous generation of two microwave signals with a precisely-controlled phase difference using the orthogonal polarization modes existing in a polarization maintaining fiber. High stability and controllability of the phase difference between the generated two microwave signals was experimentally confirmed.

Photonic generation of tunable phase microwave signal using a feed-back controlled birefringent polarization rotator

“…In our experiment, however, the absolute phase drift (about 5 rad at maximum) was less than one cycle (2π 6.28 rad) for 30 minutes without temperature control. This phase drift is relatively small compared to that in a two-optical-path configuration [32]. The remaining phase drifts in Fig.…”