The design and sensitivity of microwave frequency optical heterodyne receivers

Abstract

Recent advances in high speed photodetector and microwave receiver technology make microwave frequency optical heterodyning an attractive approach for the detection of a number of coherent Raman and Brillouin scattering experiments. We have therefore analyzed the sensitivity of microwave frequency optical heterodyne receivers. Experimental tests on a visible wavelength receiver operating at 13.5 GHz confirm the expectation of shot noise limited sensitivity. The relative merits of microwave frequency optical heterodyne detection and the alternative Fabry–Pérot interferometry approach are discussed.