${K}_{a}$–Band All-Resonant Photonic Microwave Receiver

Abstract

We demonstrate a microwave photonic receiver operating at 35-GHz carrier frequency with a sensitivity exceeding ${-}$ 70 dBm in a 3-MHz frequency band and possessing more than 40-dB dynamic range when operated in the direct detection mode. The receiver is based on a lithium niobate optical whispering gallery mode resonator coupled to a microwave strip line resonator. We theoretically analyze the performance of the receiver and estimate its optimal achievable sensitivity and dynamic range.