Novel Coherence-Free RF/Microwave Photonic Bandpass Filter

A new structure for realizing an equivalent multitap bandpass filter response without coherent interference and phase noise limitations is presented. It is based on intensity modulating a continuous-wave light multiple times to obtain many taps, and also enables windowing to be employed. Experimental results are presented that demonstrate a multiple-tap bandpass filter with high rejection ratio and with no coherence and phase-induced intensity noise limitations.