Microwave-optical fiber lasers stabilized by frequency-shifted feedback

Dual-frequency fiber lasers (DFFL) are shown to provide high purity beat notes for microwave signal generation and distribution. We study the stabilization of the beat from DFB DFFLs by using optical frequency-shifted feedback loop containing an electro-optic modulator (EOM). As a proof-of-principle of the method efficiency, a stabilized beat note with a phase noise level of -104 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz from a 1 GHz carrier, and of -90 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz from a 10 GHz carrier, is demonstrated when the EOM is driven by a synthesizer. Furthermore, the scheme is extended to a self-referenced scheme: a hybrid opto-electronic oscillator is obtained when the delayed DFFL beat note itself drives the EOM. Low-frequency phase noise is reduced by about 20 dB. Applications are discussed.