A millimeter-wave harmonic optoelectronic mixer based on InAlAs/InGaAs metamorphic HEMT

Abstract

We investigate the InAlAs/InGaAs metamorphic HEMT on GaAs substrate as a harmonic optoelectronic mixer. The fabricated metamorphic HEMT simultaneously performs photodetection of 1.55 /spl mu/m lightwaves and harmonic optoelectronic up-conversion into the millimeter-wave band. By changing the bias conditions of the HEMT, the harmonic optoelectronic mixing efficiency can be selectively enhanced while suppressing undesired mixing components. The metamorphic HEMT as a harmonic optoelectronic mixer is a promising candidate that can simplify the base station architecture in fiber-optic millimeter-wave transmission systems.