Ultrahigh spectral resolution single passband microwave photonic filter

Abstract

Microwave photonic filters (MPFs) with only one ultra-narrow passband are able to provide high frequency selectivity and wide spectral range, and they are of great importance in radio-frequency (RF) signal processing. However, currently all MPFs are limited by trade-offs between key parameters such as spectral resolution and range, tunability, and stability. Here, we report the first demonstration of a single passband MPF with unprecedented performance including ultrahigh spectral resolution of 650 kHz, 0–40 GHz spectral range, and high stability of center frequency drifting within ±50 kHz. This record performance is accomplished by breaking the amplitude equality of a phase-modulated signal via a Brillouin dynamic grating (BDG) which has an ultra-narrow reflection spectrum of sub-MHz. The results point to new ways of creating high performance microwave photonic systems, such as satellite and mobile communications, radars, and remote-sensing systems.