An ultra low jitter clock for photonic A/D converter

Abstract

Summary form only given. Photonic systems hold the promise for realization of A/D converters capable of sampling and distribution of analog signals at THz sampling capability. The realization of these systems, however, crucially depends on timing sources that can significantly reduce clock jitter in A/D converters. In the work we report on the realization of a novel device that can provide ultra-low jitter timing pulses on an optical carrier. This architecture is particularly useful in photonics applications since the optical clock pulses are generated with a single device, eliminating the need for a RF based timing source to generate short optical pulses. The device, named the Coupled Opto-Electronic Oscillator (COEO) is based on the Opto-Electronic Oscillator (OEO), which has been described elsewhere. COEO readily accomplishes the two seemingly unrelated functions simultaneously: it acts both as a microwave source and a stable source of short optical pulses at the same time. Due to the mutual stabilization effect of the microwave and optical signals, no electronics is required to maintain the device at an optimum operation point.