High bandwidth photoswitch for heterodyne detection of optically generated mm W signals using 1.5 μ m integrated glass lasers

Abstract

We demonstrate the performance of an InGaAs photoconductor as a heterodyne detector of optically generated mmW signals. Two continuous wave DFB lasers integrated on glass emitting in the 1.5 λs m range are used to generate radio frequency through optical heterodyning by illuminating the ultra-fast nitrogen ion implanted InGaAs photoconductive switch. The beating signal corresponding to the mmW signal is downconverted by mixing with electrical RF frequencies up to 65 GHz. This low cost and robust device as ultrafast optoelectronic mixer shows uniform performance over a wide range of detected optical beating frequencies up to 164 GHz, limited by our equipment.