Intrinsic microwave phase noise of fiber-optic links

Measurements of the residual, single-sideband microwave phase noise added by a fiber-optic link are presented. The measurements are made without the use of RF amplifiers and therefore show the true residual phase noise of the link for the first time. Measurements of 1.3 /spl mu/m and 1.55 /spl mu/m externally-modulated links indicate a very low residual phase noise.