Electrically interfaced Brillouin-active waveguide for microwave photonic measurements

Yishu Zhou, Freek Ruesink, Margaret Pavlovich, Ryan Behunin, Haotian Cheng, Shai Gertler, Andrew L. Starbuck, Andrew J. Leenheer, Andrew T. Pomerene, Douglas C. Trotter, Katherine M. Musick, Michael Gehl, Ashok Kodigala, Matt Eichenfield, Anthony L. Lentine, Nils Otterstrom, Peter Rakich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

New strategies for converting signals between optical and microwave domains could play a pivotal role in advancing both classical and quantum technologies. Traditional approaches to optical-to-microwave transduction typically perturb or destroy the information encoded on intensity of the light field, eliminating the possibility for further processing or distribution of these signals. In this paper, we introduce an optical-to-microwave conversion method that allows for both detection and spectral analysis of microwave photonic signals without degradation of their information content. This functionality is demonstrated using an optomechanical waveguide integrated with a piezoelectric transducer. Efficient electromechanical and optomechanical coupling within this system permits bidirectional optical-to-microwave conversion with a quantum efficiency of up to −54.16 dB. Leveraging the preservation of the optical field envelope in intramodal Brillouin scattering, we demonstrate a multi-channel microwave photonic filter by transmitting an optical signal through a series of electro-optomechanical waveguide segments, each with distinct resonance frequencies. Such electro-optomechanical systems could offer flexible strategies for remote sensing, channelization, and spectrum analysis in microwave photonics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number6796
JournalNature Communications
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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