Optically generated dynamically tunable, low noise millimeter wave signals using microchip solid state lasers

Abstract

This paper concerns the optical generation of microwave and millimeter wave signals by heterodyning two or more solid state microchip lasers. The lasers can be temperature and voltage tuned to produce beat frequencies up to 200 GHz with tuning speed of 50GHz/microsec. A novel fiberoptic delay is employed to stabilize the transmitter yielding a measured phase noise of -101 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset.