Wideband versatile radio-frequency spectrum analyzer

Abstract

Operation of a wideband, versatile optical spectrum analyzer for radio-frequency (RF) signals is demonstrated. The device is based on spectral hole burning (SHB). The demonstration features 2.3-GHz instantaneous bandwidth, 500-kHz resolution, and a 32-dB dynamic range. A true RF signal, transferred to the optical carrier with the help of a Mach-Zehnder modulator, is analyzed with optical carrier suppression and zooming capabilities. This is to the authors' knowledge the largest instantaneous bandwidth ever demonstrated for a SHB-based processor in rare-earth-doped crystals.

Branching ratio measurement of aΛsystem inTm3+:YAGunder a magnetic field

“…Alternatively, other non-Kramers rare-earth ions such as thulium fall within reach of more tractable lasers. Tm 3+ : Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG) has been widely studied in the field of coherent transient-based signal-processing schemes 15,16,17,18 and lasers 19,20 . It is especially attractive because the 3 H 6 (0) → 3 H 4 (0) transition at 793 nm is in the range of semi-conductor lasers which can be stabilized to better than 1 kHz 21 .…”

Wideband radio frequency spectrum analyzer: improved design and experimental results

“…In a previous publication [15], we demonstrated the spectral analysis of an RF signal that was put on the probe beam with the help of a MachZehnder modulator. In the present work, we simulate a multiple-line RF signal by making the laser perform various discrete frequency jumps during the readout step of the writing/readout sequence.…”

“…Various optical functions, such as time-domain correlation [7,8], real-time data routing [9,10] and true-time delay generation for radar application [11,12], have been demonstrated recently that illustrate SHB signal processing potential. We recently proposed an opto-electronic architecture to exploit the large bandwidth and high resolution of SHB for spectral analysis of RF signals [13][14][15]. Ultimately, the SHB spectrometer would feature bandwidth in excess of 10 GHz; with flexibility, resolution better than 1 MHz and low consumption.…”

Spectrally selective molecular doped solids: spectroscopy, photophysics and their application to ultrafast optical pulse processing

“…They could be simultaneously detected on a matrix of photodetectors. Since the first experimental demonstration on the instantaneous SHB based spectral analysis of optically carried broadband radio frequency signals [6], the accessible spectral range has been progressively broadened up to 3.3 GHz with 100 channels [7][8][9]. The goal is to demonstrate 10 GHz bandwidth with 1000 channels and 100% duty cycle.…”