MMIC compatible lightwave-microwave mixing techniques

The basic motivation for the research presented here is the chip-level integration of microwave and photonic components. It is demonstrated that a microwave signal can be mixed with a modulated optical signal in a MESFET. A brief theoretical analysis of the IF term of the drain current is given in terms of the input signal parameters and device characteristics. Experimental results for two mixing configurations using the MESFET are shown, along with biasing conditions which maximize the IF response.<>