ULTRA FLAT OPTICAL FREQUENCY COMB GENERATION TAKING INTO ACCOUNT DYNAMICS OF CASCADED MODULATION FOR ENHANCING 5G AND BEYOND

Abstract

The versatility of optical frequency combs in test and measurement has grown. Spectroscopy, metrology, precision distance measuring, sensing, optical and microwave waveform synthesis, signal processing, and communications are examples. Bandwidth optimization is crucial. Our unique and simple method for C-band millimeter-wave double-sideband vector signal creation was tested. This approach cascades one single-drive and one push-pull Mach-Zehnder modulator. After driving the first one with a 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 GHz RF pulse, an optical frequency comb with six flat carriers was formed. The outputs were evaluated after each of the five stages following careful tuning to meet optical system harmonics. Multiple frequencies can be sent in one channel, making this architecture adaptable and scalable. For the suggested approach, experimental results match theoretical and simulation assessments.