Optical modulation plays arguably the utmost important role in microwave photonic (MWP) systems. Precise synthesis of modulated optical spectra dictates virtually all aspects of MWP system quality including loss, noise figure, linearity, and types of functionalities that can be executed. However, for such a critical function, the versatility to generate and transform analog optical modulation is severely lacking, blocking the pathways to truly unique MWP functions including ultra-linear links and low-loss high rejection filters. Here, we demonstrate a versatile radiofrequency (RF) photonic spectral shaper integrated in a silicon photonic circuit. The spectral shaper controls the two modulation bands generated from an electro-optic modulation process in their relative amplitude and phase, offering an enhanced versatility for microwave-photonic modulation applications. Using the spectral shaper, we show electrically tailorable modulation transformations. Furthermore, we show a series of unprecedented RF filtering experiments through monolithic integration of the spectral shaper with a network of reconfigurable ring resonators.

中文翻译：

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多功能硅微波光子光谱整形器

可以说，光调制在微波光子（MWP）系统中起着最重要的作用。调制光谱的精确合成实际上决定了MWP系统质量的所有方面，包括损耗，噪声系数，线性和可以执行的功能类型。但是，对于这种关键功能，严重缺乏生成和转换模拟光调制的多功能性，从而阻碍了通往真正独特的MWP功能的途径，包括超线性链路和低损耗高抑制滤波器。在这里，我们演示了集成在硅光子电路中的通用射频（RF）光子光谱整形器。频谱整形器控制从电光调制过程中产生的两个调制带的相对幅度和相位，为微波光子调制应用提供增强的多功能性。使用频谱整形器，我们展示了电可定制的调制变换。此外，我们通过频谱整形器与可重构环形谐振器网络的单片集成展示了一系列前所未有的RF滤波实验。