Theoretical and experimental study on the optimal performance of an optical voltage controlled oscillator

Abstract. As a key component of the subcarrier-based optical phase-locked loop, an optical voltage controlled oscillator (OVCO) suffers a penalty due to various factors, such as the nonoptimal peak drive voltage, the bias voltage deviation, and the inevitable imperfections of the modulator and the driver. We have performed a systematic study to investigate the influence of these factors on the performance of the OVCO. Our theoretical analysis and experimental demonstration show that by setting the peak drive voltage to around 1.172Vπ, employing a proper automatic bias control technology for the Mach–Zehnder modulator, and applying a driver with adequate output saturation voltage, the optimal performance of the OVCO with high power efficiency and stable output can be achieved. Our results may provide useful guides for the design of an OVCO or the production of a commercially integrated OVCO component.

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