Quadratic Electrooptic Effect for Frequency Down-Conversion

A novel optical frequency down-conversion approach employing the quadratic electrooptic effect is proposed, analyzed, and verified. This down-conversion method can seamlessly integrate with an optical phase-locked-loop linear phase demodulator. It has the potential to achieve a large dynamic range and low conversion loss. Comprehensive theoretical studies are performed to investigate the noise, efficiency, and linearity of this down-conversion approach. Experiments are then conducted. It is found that the unwanted fourth-order electrooptic effect of the InP modulator device limits the dynamic range.

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