Daniel Dolfi

Experimental demonstration of a phased-array antenna optically controlled with phase and time delays

The experimental demonstration and the far-field pattern characterization of an optically controlled phased-array antenna are described. It operates between 2.5 and 3.5 GHz and is made of 16 radiating elements. The optical control uses a two-dimensional architecture based on free-space propagation and on polarization switching by N spatial light modulators of p × p pixels. It provides 2(N-1) time-delay values and an analog control of the 0 to 2π phase for each of the p × p signals feeding the antenna (N = 5, p = 4).

Broadband true time delay for microwave signal processing, using slow light based on stimulated Brillouin scattering in optical fibers.

We experimentally demonstrate a novel technique to process broadband microwave signals, using all-optically tunable true time delay in optical fibers. The configuration to achieve true time delay basically consists of two main stages: photonic RF phase shifter and slow light, based on stimulated Brillouin scattering in fibers. Dispersion properties of fibers are controlled, separately at optical carrier frequency and in the vicinity of microwave signal bandwidth. This way time delay induced within the signal bandwidth can be manipulated to correctly act as true time delay with a proper phase compensation introduced to the optical carrier. We completely analyzed the generated true time delay as a promising solution to feed phased array antenna for radar systems and to develop dynamically reconfigurable microwave photonic filters.

Two-dimensional optical architecture for time-delay beam forming in a phased-array antenna

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a new two-dimensional optical architecture based on polarization switching by N spatial light modulators that provides 2(N) time delays to a phased-array antenna of p x p radiating elements. Moreover the 0 to 2pi phase of the microwave signals is optically controlled by a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator that operates in the birefringent mode. The microwave signal originates from the coherent detection of a dual-frequency laser beam obtained with an acousto-optic frequency shifter. Preliminary experimental results obtained at a microwave frequency f = 1.85 GHz are presented.

Integrable microwave filter based on a photonic crystal delay line.

The availability of a tunable delay line with a chip-size footprint is a crucial step towards the full implementation of integrated microwave photonic signal processors. Achieving a large and tunable group delay on a millimetre-sized chip is not trivial. Slow light concepts are an appropriate solution, if propagation losses are kept acceptable. Here we use a low-loss 1.5 mm-long photonic crystal waveguide to demonstrate both notch and band-pass microwave filters that can be tuned over the 0-50-GHz spectral band. The waveguide is capable of generating a controllable delay with limited signal attenuation (total insertion loss below 10 dB when the delay is below 70 ps) and degradation. Owing to the very small footprint of the delay line, a fully integrated device is feasible, also featuring more complex and elaborate filter functions.

Optical signal processing in Radar systems

Opto-electronic components and their performances are well suited to be integrated in radar systems. In this paper, two optical architectures illustrate functions that are specific to optical processing of microwave signals, i.e., time-delay-based processing and arbitrary waveform generation of large frequency bandwidth signals.

Experimental Investigation and Analytical Modeling of Excess Intensity Noise in Semiconductor Class-A Lasers

Excess intensity noise in a low-noise single-frequency class-A VECSEL is experimentally investigated over the frequency range 10 kHz-18 GHz. An analytical model is derived, based on multimode Langevin equations, to describe the observed laser excess noise over the whole bandwidth. From 50 MHz to 18 GHz, class-A operation leads to a shot noise limited relative intensity noise (RIN), namely -155 dB/Hz for 1-mA detected photocurrent, except at harmonics of the cavity free spectral range (FSR). At these frequencies, the excess noise is shown to be due to the amplified spontaneous emission contained in the nonlasing side modes. The measured levels of excess noise correspond to side mode suppression ratios (SMSRs) ranging from 70 to 90 dB, in agreement with the model. At low frequencies, 10 kHz-50 MHz, the observed excess noise spectrum has the expected Lorentzian shape. Its bandwidth increases with the pumping rate to an upper limit given by the cavity photon lifetime. Below this cutoff frequency, we show that the pump RIN is the dominant source of noise, while it is filtered by the laser dynamics above. Finally, our model permits to design a semiconductor class-A laser with an intensity noise limited to the shot noise level over the whole 10 kHz-18 GHz bandwidth.

Experimental demonstration of a tunable dual-frequency semiconductor laser free of relaxation oscillations.

Tunable dual-frequency oscillation is demonstrated in a vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser. Simultaneous and robust oscillation of the two orthogonally polarized eigenstates is achieved by reducing their overlap in the optical active medium. The class-A dynamics of this laser, free of relaxation oscillations, enables one to suppress the electrical phase noise in excess that is usually observed in the vicinity of the beat note.

Demonstration of a radio-frequency spectrum analyzer based on spectral hole burning.

Spectral hole-burning (SHB) technology is considered for >10‐GHz instantaneous bandwidth signal-processing applications. In this context we report on what is believed to be the first demonstration of a SHB microwave spectrometer. A set of gratings engraved in a SHB crystal is used to filter one sideband of the optically carried microwave signal. The setup is confined to narrow-bandwidth operation, over a 35-MHz-wide interval. The first findings confirm the validity of the architecture in terms of spectral resolution, angular channel separation, and simultaneous detection of multiple spectral lines.

Shot-noise-limited operation of a monomode high-cavity-finesse semiconductor laser for microwave photonics applications

Shot-noise-limited laser operation over a wide spectral bandwidth is demonstrated by using a semiconductor active medium inserted into a high-Q external cavity. This approach ensures, with a compact design, a sufficiently long photon lifetime to reach the oscillation-relaxation-free class A regime. The laser relative intensity noise is limited to the shot-noise relative floor, -156 dB/Hz for a 1 mA detected photocurrent, over the 100 MHz to 18 GHz bandwidth. The optimization of the laser cavity is discussed, and convenient shot-noise-limited operation is shown to be a trade-off between the cavity length and laser mode filtering.

Measurement of the coupling constant in a two-frequency VECSEL

We measure the coupling constant between the two perpendicularly polarized eigenstates of a two-frequency Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VECSEL). This measurement is performed for different values of the transverse spatial separation between the two perpendicularly polarized modes. The consequences of these measurements on the two-frequency operation of such class-A semiconductor lasers are discussed.