Dual Loop Optoelectronic Oscillator with Acousto-Optic Delay Line

Abstract

A dual loop optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) based on an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) for single mode operation with an acousto-optic delay line is demonstrated in this paper. When the OEO operates, the free spectral range is a function of the total loop length of the OEO, which is mainly dependent on the propagation time of the acoustic wave in the AOM. Due to the huge difference in the magnitude between the speed of light and the acoustic velocity in the AOM, the effective loop length converted to light-propagation length of the OEO increases to 3.8 km. With 150 MHz oscillation frequency, phase noise of -118 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz frequency offset, and -140 dBc/Hz at 200 kHz frequency offset, is achieved.