Abstract
Random scattering of light in transmission media has attracted a great deal of attention in the field of photonics over the past few decades. An optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) is a microwave photonic system offering unbeatable features for the generation of microwave oscillations with ultra-low phase noise. Here, we combine the unique features of random scattering and OEO technologies by proposing an OEO structure based on random distributed feedback. Thanks to the random distribution of Rayleigh scattering caused by inhomogeneities within the glass structure of the fiber, we demonstrate the generation of ultra-wideband (up to 40 GHz from DC) random microwave signals in an open cavity OEO. The generated signals enjoy random characteristics, and their frequencies are not limited by a fixed cavity length figure. The proposed device has potential in many fields such as random bit generation, radar systems, electronic interference and countermeasures, and telecommunications.
Highlights
Random scattering of light in transmission media has attracted a great deal of attention in the field of photonics over the past few decades
Due to limitations in the fiber manufacturing process, its internal refractive index of fiber is not uniform, leading to inherent Rayleigh scattering that is produced in all directions, among which, the weak backscattering is recaptured by the fiber propagating in the opposite direction to the incident light in the fiber[16,17]
The random distributed feedback based on Rayleigh backscattering combined with an optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) structure gives the birth to the device with unique characteristics
Summary
Random scattering of light in transmission media has attracted a great deal of attention in the field of photonics over the past few decades. We combine the unique features of random scattering and OEO technologies by proposing an OEO structure based on random distributed feedback. Thanks to the random distribution of Rayleigh scattering caused by inhomogeneities within the glass structure of the fiber, we demonstrate the generation of ultra-wideband (up to 40 GHz from DC) random microwave signals in an open cavity OEO. Many attempts on the different OEO structure have been reported over the past years in order to increase the operating frequency range and reduce phase noise All these contributions rely on fixed close cavity structures (single or dual loop). In the proposed device the feedback signal is not obtained by means of a cavity, as the loop is left open Rather, it generates from the Rayleigh backscattering provided by an optical fiber. The proposed broadband random OEO brings the unique ability to generate ultrawideband random signals with the added value of relying on a simple structure not requiring precise cavity length adjustments
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