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Efficient Generation of Stable Photonic Microwaves by Controlling the Limit-Cycle Oscillations of Optically Injected Semiconductor Lasers

Abstract

Photonic microwave or millimeter wave (MMW) sources that produce highly stable and broadly tunable microwave frequencies of low phase noise are anticipated for many applications ranging from broadband wireless access networks and satellite communication systems to emerging broadband photonics-based phased-array antennas and radars.

The goal of this dissertation is to investigate and control the characteristics of the generated photonic microwave frequencies induced by an optically injected semiconductor laser. Two ways of controlling the dynamics are considered: through the control of the operational parameters of the optically injected laser system and through the control of the intrinsic parameters of the injected semiconductor laser. Controlling the operating parameters shows limit cycles of period one (P1) and period two (P2) that have reduced sensitivity to intrinsic laser noise and small-signal fluctuations in the operating conditions. The intrinsic parameters of the semiconductor laser, particularly the gain saturation factor, are shown to have significant effects on the characteristics of the nonlinear dynamics in both the stable-locking and periodic regions. Therefore, this dissertation shows the optimal operating points of the optically injected semiconductor laser for photonic microwave applications.

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