Title :
Measurement of IP3 in p-i-n photodetectors and proposed performance requirements for RF fiber-optic links
Author :
Scott, D.C. ; Vang, T.A. ; Elliott, J. ; Forbes, D. ; Lacey, J. ; Everett, K. ; Alvarez, F. ; Johnson, R. ; Krispin, A. ; Brock, J. ; Lembo, L. ; Jiang, H. ; Shin, D.S. ; Zhu, J.T. ; Yu, P.K.L.
Author_Institution :
TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA, USA
fDate :
4/1/2000 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The nonlinearities generated by wide-band, high-current photodetectors are discussed in the context of the performance of an externally modulated analog radio-frequency fiber-optic link. The quantitative impart of the detector´s third-order intermodulation product intercept (IP3) on the link´s spur-free dynamic range is analyzed. Waveguide p-i-n photodiodes were developed to specifically address these stringent IP3 goals. The IP3 was measured using a four laser heterodyne system resulting in an IP3 of 27 dBm measured at a center frequency of 20 GHz with 20 mA of de photocurrent. The authors believe that this is the highest photodetector IP3 reported to date at these operating conditions.
Keywords :
intermodulation; microwave links; microwave photonics; nonlinear optics; optical communication equipment; optical fibre networks; optical testing; optical waveguides; p-i-n photodiodes; photodetectors; 20 GHz; 20 mA; IP3 measurement; RF fiber-optic links; externally modulated analog radio-frequency fiber-optic link; laser heterodyne system; nonlinearities; operating conditions; p-i-n photodetectors; performance requirements; photodetector IP3; spur-free dynamic range; stringent IP3 goals; third-order intermodulation product intercept; waveguide p-i-n photodiodes; wide-band high-current photodetectors; Detectors; Distortion measurement; Nonlinear distortion; Nonlinear optics; Optical distortion; Optical modulation; PIN photodiodes; Photoconductivity; Photodetectors; Radio frequency;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
