Photonic–electronic hybrid microwave source with broadband coverage and ultra-low phase noise
We present a compact optoelectronic microwave source achieving broadband coverage from 1 to 100 GHz with frequency-independent, ultralow phase noise. The system integrates thin‑film lithium niobate modulation with stimulated Brillouin scattering and common mode noise rejection in a high‑Q fiber resonator, enabling a 100 GHz carrier to reach the phase noise level of -111.4 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz and -130.6 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset. Then, a 10 GHz signal generated through electrical frequency division and injection locking of a dielectric oscillator is demonstrated, reaching phase noise levels of -84 dBc/Hz at 10 Hz, -124 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz, -138 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz, and -166.43 dBc/Hz at 10 MHz, limited by the noise floor of the synthesizer chip. This architecture overcomes the conventional trade-off between phase noise and carrier frequency, providing a promising solution for advanced communications, radar, and quantum measurements.
Authors
- Jiahao Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1214-0687)
- Heng Zhou
- Siyi Xue
- Zhengyuxiao Yang
Publication Details
- Journal
- Optics Letters
- Published
- 2026-02-17
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1364/ol.590838
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Photonic Communication Systems
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00