Millimeter-Wave Signal Generation Using Two Cascaded Optical Modulators and FWM Effect in Semiconductor Optical Amplifier

A novel method of optical generation millimeter-wave (mm-wave) signals employing two cascaded optical modulators and four-wave-mixing effect in semiconductor optical amplifiers is proposed. This approach is capable of generating signals of four times, eight times, and 12 times microwave source frequency with high spectral purity and stability. A mm-wave of 42 GHz (12times fundamental) with a 3-dB linewidth less than 30 Hz and a phase noise less than 83 dBc/Hz at 10-kHz offset is obtained.