Analysis of integrated optoelectronic laser-diode-based microwave and millimetre-wave frequency mixers

The authors have analysed optoelectronic or all-optical frequency conversion in the range from hundreds of MHz up to hundreds of GHz using Q-switched and mode locked laser diodes. Subcarrier modulation was considered as an example of possible applications. The advantages of a mode locked scheme, besides higher achievable frequencies, include flat frequency dependence of the conversion efficiency at frequencies below the electron-photon resonance and higher stability of the local oscillator frequency, whereas the advantage of Q-switching is relatively smaller modulation of output light at the signal frequency