Abstract

The use of APD for optoelectronic heterodyne detection (OEHD) for a rf modulated lightwave has been reported.¹ In OEHD, the APD is used both as an optical detector and frequency downconverter (mixer). Since the gain of the APD is a nonlinear function of the bias voltage, the inclusion of a rf local oscillator with dc bias will convert the incoming rf modulated optical signal directly into an electrical IF current. We call this method electronic injection. We have also investigated the OEHD using a rf modulated optical beam injection or simple optical injection. The strong local rf modulated optical beam will cause the effective bias of the APD to vary with the local rf, thus achieving OEHD.

© 1989 Optical Society of America