High-Q optical resonators for stabilization of high spectral purity microwave oscillators

Abstract

Different high-Q optical resonators are presented in this communication. Our aim is to use them to develop compact high performances microwave oscillators. The optical quality factor of a quartz disk used as a whispering gallery modes resonator has been measured to be higher than 10 9 . We also investigate the potentialities of high-Q fibre ring resonators. The performances of an optoelectronic oscillator at 10 GHz based on such a passive fibre ring resonator are presented here.

Fiber ring resonators with Q factors in excess of 10¹⁰ for time and frequency applications

“…Since the first delay line feedback OEOs in the 1990s [1,2], based on optical fiber spools of a few kilometers, the design of these systems has evolved towards more compact oscillators based on optical resonators. These resonators can be whispering gallery mode resonators, such as mini disk monocrystaline resonators [3][4][5], passive fiber loop resonators [6,7] or active fiber loops resonators, i.e. coupled optical and electronic oscillator (COEO) [8,9].…”

Theoretical and experimental study of the phase noise of opto-electronic oscillators based on high quality factor optical resonators

“…To predict their efficiency in terms of quality factors and phase noise when they are included in an optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) scheme, a simulation tool is presented here. The results are compared with experimental data, which have been fully described in [6]. The optimization approach of the white frequency noise contribution we propose is an extension to the OEO case of a classical method used for microwave oscillators [7].…”

Investigations on noise processes in optical resonator based microwave oscillators

“…The above OEO system has been firstly set up with a FRR [8]. The resonator is realized with two low loss fibered directional couplers with low coupling factors (about 1%) linked with an optical fiber of a few meters, Fig.…”