Observations of intermodulation effects in an integrated optical spectrum analyser

Intermodulation occurring in a guided wave acousto-optic spectrum analyser device has been observed experimentally for the case of two input signals of equal strength. Limited agreement with the existing theoretical model has been obtained and possible reasons for this are considered. Recommendations are made for more wide ranging experimental investigations and areas identified where additional analysis would be useful. Taken together these will enable the limitations of practical large bandwidth devices to be properly assessed.