Abstract

Optoelectronic oscillators (OEO) combine electronic and photonic components to generate spectrally pure microwave signals in both optical and electrical domains. Since the first OEO was reported [1], several low-cost configurations have been proposed [2]. Here we present a novel OEO configuration based on the integration of a resonant tunneling diode (RTD) photo-detector oscillator and a laser diode. We also show the OEO dynamics is well described as a Liénard oscillator. RTD-based devices work as voltage controlled oscillators taking advantage of RTD negative differential resistance (NDR) current-voltage (I–V) curve [3], inset of Fig. 1(a). The NDR extends over a wide bandwidth providing gain to the circuit allowing the implementation of compact high-speed OEOs with improved performance and useful for optical communication and interconnection applications.

© 2011 Optical Society of America