All optical millimeter-wave electrical signal generation using an integrated mode-locked semiconductor ring laser and photodiode

The first monolithic photonic integrated circuit for all-optical generation of millimeter (mm)-wave electrical signals is reported. The design integrates a mode-locked semiconductor ring diode laser, an optical amplifier, and a high-speed photodetector into a single optical integrated circuit. Signal generation is demonstrated at frequencies of 30, 60, and 90 GHz.