Recent progress in attenuation counterpropagating optical phase-locked loops for high-dynamic-range radio frequency photonic links

• DOI: 10.1364/prj.2.000b45
• Publication Date: 2014-07-11T19:30:26Z
• Authors: Shilei Jin; Longtao Xu; Peter Herczfeld; Ashish Bhardwaj; Yifei Li
• Keywords: 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; 02 engineering and technology; 7. Clean energy

In order to achieve small size, light weight, and immunity to electromagnetic interference, it is desirable to replace bulky coaxial cables with optical fiber in advanced radar front-ends. Such applications require a large dynamic range that is beyond the reach of conventional intensity modulation–direct detection fiber-optic links. A coherent fiber-optic link employing an optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) phase demodulator has been proposed as a solution to this problem. The challenge is the practical realization of the OPLL demodulator that satisfies the stringent loop delay requirement. A novel attenuation counterpropagating (ACP) OPLL concept has been proposed and demonstrated as a solution. In this paper we review the recent progress in realizing chip-scale ACP-OPLL devices. In particular, we focus on the latest measurement results achieved using a hybrid integrated ACP-OPLL, as well as the design and performance potential of a monolithically integrated ACP-OPLL photonic integrated circuit.