Ultrafast InGaAs photoswitch for RF signal processing

Optical processing of radiofrequency signals is demonstrated in this communication using photoswitches made from nitrogen ion implanted InGaAs. The sampling device shows an ultrafast picosecond response time while activated by ultra-short optical pulses or modulated optical beam centered at the wavelength of 1.55 μm. The optoelectronic device is embedded in a microwave coplanar waveguide which has a high electrical bandwidth allowing to process signals in the 1-67 GHz band. We investigate the potentiality of this component to be used either in photonic assisted sampling for future analog-to-digital converters or in photonic assisted heterodyne detection of RF modulated carriers.