40 GHz Millimeter-Wave Signal Generation Using a Lattice-Form Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

We propose and study a new scheme for optical millimeter-wave generation using a lattice-form Mach-Zehnder interferometer (LF-MZI) designed in a planar lightwave circuit (PLC). Our simulations demonstrate that a LF-MZI with a conventional 10 GHz Mach-Zehnder modulator can generate a stable 40 GHz signal, suitable for a radio-over-fiber (ROF) link. By using an all-optical LF-MZI in the ROF link we can avoid a 20 GHz electrical signal generator and a dual-drive LiNbO
₃
external modulator in the set-up. We compare the results with optical carrier suppression (OCS) technique with a dual-drive LiNbO
₃
modulator.