Millimeter wave generation using multimode microchip lasers

The use of optical fibers for signal transmission at millimeter wave frequencies has been demonstrated using a variety of laser sources. Heterodyning of diode-pumped solid-state lasers can provide a widely tunable source of mm-wave radiation, but requires the lasers to be highly stabilized. In this paper we report the demonstration of a laser heterodyne technique for the generation of a mm-wave subcarrier in which a single multi-mode microchip laser is used as the source.