Coherent combining of RF signals in a traveling-wave photodetector array

Analog fiber-optic links are used in a variety of microwave applications. The RF insertion loss and RF output power available from these links is currently limited by photodetector optical power handling. Using traveling-wave concepts similar to those in distributed amplifiers, we have demonstrated...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inIEEE photonics technology letters Vol. 9; no. 7; pp. 988 - 990
Main Authors Goldsmith, C.L., Magel, G.A., Kanack, B.M., Baca, R.J.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published IEEE 01.07.1997
Subjects
Detectors
Distributed amplifiers
Insertion loss
Optical losses
Photodetectors
Power amplifiers
Power generation
Radio frequency
Sensor arrays
Stimulated emission
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Summary:Analog fiber-optic links are used in a variety of microwave applications. The RF insertion loss and RF output power available from these links is currently limited by photodetector optical power handling. Using traveling-wave concepts similar to those in distributed amplifiers, we have demonstrated traveling-wave detector arrays (TWDAs) in which photodetectors are embedded within an artificial transmission line. By feeding this network with suitably time-delayed optical signals, this arrangement coherently combines the RF photocurrents from two detectors, yielding a 6-dB improvement in insertion loss and RF output power, while retaining 12 GHz of operating bandwidth.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 23
ISSN:1041-1135
1941-0174
DOI:10.1109/68.593375