Applications of the Slow and Fast Light Effects in SOA-EA Structures in the Radio Over Fiber Links

We present a novel scheme for the control of radio signals in the optical domain. We propose the use of alternating amplifying and absorbing sections. The potential benefits from the proposed SOA-EA (Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers - Electro Absorbers) structures are the high tuning speed, the continuous scan, the small size, the capability of integration, the low insertion losses and the low bias voltage. This technology opens a potential for several microwave photonic applications including the change of the direction of the radiation pattern of photonic phase-array antennas or the implementation of fast tunable microwave photonic filters.