Photonic generation of microwave signals by exploiting fiber birefringence effect in single-longitudinal-mode distributed Bragg reflector fiber lazer

A novel all‐optical microwave generation technique based on fiber birefringence effect in single‐longitudinal‐mode (SLM) distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) fiber lazer is presented. Owing to the birefringence‐induced mode splitting, the proposed lazer could provide a microwave signal at ∼1.72 GHz with a 3 dB bandwidth of ∼30 kHz. Moreover, another microwave signal at 10.96 GHz could also be generated as transverse pressure was applied onto the proposed lazer. Similar phenomenon was observed when another DBR lazer constructed with Er/Yb co‐doped fiber was used, and a microwave signal at 11.47 GHz with ∼33 kHz linewidth have also been achieved. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 535–540, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24961