Microwave Generation by P2 Dynamics of Optically Injected Semiconductor Laser

• Published in: Journal of lightwave technology Vol. 43; no. 10; pp. 4895 - 4902
• Main Authors: Yu, Xiaoyue, Zhang, Fangzheng, Yan, Xin, Wu, Gengze, Han, Xinyao, Pan, Shilong, Wang, Kai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 15.05.2025; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Dynamics; Feedback; Feedback control systems; Frequency modulation; Frequency stability; Laser dynamics; Masers; Microwave communication; Microwave oscillators; Microwave photonics; microwave signal generation; Microwave theory and techniques; Optical feedback; optical injection; Optical mixing; Optoelectronics; Oscillators; Phase noise; Radar equipment; Semiconductor lasers; Signal generation; Wireless communications
• ISSN: 0733-8724; 1558-2213
• DOI: 10.1109/JLT.2025.3541204

In this paper, an approach for photonic generation of microwave signals by period-two (P2) dynamics in an optically injected semiconductor laser is investigated, which provides a supplementary method for generating microwave signals below the period-one (P1) oscillation frequencies. The characteristics of P2 oscillation including the frequency tunability and frequency-switching time are numerically investigated, which shows the potential of microwave signal generation by P2 dynamics. In the experiment, the generation of single-frequency and stepped-frequency (SF) microwave signals based on P2 dynamics are demonstrated. For single-frequency signal generation, optical injection combined with dual-loop optoelectronic feedback is achieved to suppress the phase noise. In the experiment, single-frequency signals with adjustable frequencies from 1.72 GHz to 8.68 GHz are generated with the phase noise lower than −118.54 dBc/Hz @10kHz and the side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) ratio over 69.8 dB. For SF microwave signal generation, a 3-GHz (3-6 GHz) bandwidth signal with multiple discrete frequencies is generated of which the frequency stability and accuracy are improved the by incorporating single-loop optoelectronic feedback. The results validate the feasibility of microwave signal generation by P2-dyanmics, which can be applied in wireless communication and radar systems.