Photonic microwave generation utilizing dynamics of laser diodes

Two photonic microwave generation techniques using laser diodes are discussed in this work. Firstly, the period-one (P1) nonlinear dynamics of a semiconductor laser simultaneously subject to optical injection and optical feedback are investigated for tunable photonic microwave generation both numerically and experimentally. The P1 oscillation is invoked by optical injection so that the laser emission oscillates at a microwave frequency. The frequency fluctuations are then stabilized by optical feedback. Secondly, the dynamics of a two-section passively mode-locked laser diode is investigated for monolithic photonic microwave generation as the mode-locked pulse train at a repetition rate generates a microwave frequency. By depositing proper coatings on both laser facets, the microwave performance is improved in terms of the output peak power, timing jitter, and amplitude fluctuation.