Optoelectronic microwave-range frequency mixing in semiconductor lasers

Optoelectronic mixing of very high-frequency amplitude-modulated signals using a semiconductor laser simultaneously as a local oscillator and a mixer is proposed, Three possible constructions of a monolithically integrated up-or down-converter are considered theoretically: a four-terminal semiconductor laser with dual pumping current/modal gain control, and both a passively mode-locked and a passively Q-switched semiconductor laser monolithically integrated with an electroabsorption pumping current modulator. Experimental verification of the feasibility of the laser-mixer concept is presented.<
>