From latest nanotechnology advances, low-dimensional matter confinement delivered by nanostructuration or few-layer stacking offer new opportunities for ultimate light absorption performances. In this field, semiconducting 2D materials and photonic crystals have already demonstrated promising flexible optical properties from monoatomic to bulk structuration covering visible to IR spectral range. Today, these emerging materials such as Phosphorene, allow reconsideration of some physical effects such as photoconductivity. Indeed, its exploitation in integrated planar structures become c in terms of efficient local contactless control with a high degree of tunability by optics in association with high dark resistivity, fast carrier dynamics, and sub-wavelength light coupling solutions compatibility. Multiscale modeling and design tools implementing material anisotropic parameters from atomic configuration up to mesoscale, in complement with multiscale optical characterization in a large frequency bandwidth opens routes to new microwave signal processing functionalities such as switching, generation, amplification and emission over a large frequency bandwidth, that could not be achieved by full electronic solutions. This paper will report on latest demonstrations of high performance photoconductive structures for high frequency applications and review state-of-the-art research work in this area, with a specific focus on latest demonstrations for airborne applications.
This paper addresses the interaction between light wave technologies and semiconductors devices at the nanoscale. Research works aiming at the development of emerging 1D and 2D nano materials such as nanodots, nanowires, nanotubes and nanoribbons open the way to overcome the performances bottleneck of conventional microwave photoconductive switches. Such new materials offer new opportunities for the confinement of light/matter interaction and exhibit interesting energy band diagram in an optical wavelength spectrum covering visible to NIR. Strong material interests stays for the generation of very high local density of carriers in contrast with a high dark resistivity, in association with a high carrier mobility. These challenges can be reached today thanks to nanotechnology processes with a high compatibility constraint with submicrometer light coupling solutions and microwave devices and circuits technologies. Modeling and design tools dedicated to photoconductive effect description at nanometer scale, for its implementation in passive and active components must be set up in order to exalt this effect for microwave signal processing functionalities such as switching, generation, amplification and emission over a large frequency bandwidth. This paper will report on latest demonstrations of high performance photoconductive switches for high frequency applications at 0.8μm and 1.5μm based on LT-GaAs, GaAs nanowires and GaInAsSb semiconductor materials.
Thermal-induced index variations are experimentally observed with Schottky diodes; they are opposite to the
carrier induced ones, with an increase of optical index as high as 0.1, and a 1μs response time. It turns out that
the thermal effect can be an important limiting factor to the optical index change. In this paper we evaluate each
phenomenon separately (lifetime and thermal effects) and the influence of the thermal effects on the carrier
induced index variations.
In this paper, we demonstrate that a prism coupling characterization technique can lead to simpler Waveguide Bragg
Grating (WBG) designs and easier fabrication process by avoiding channel transmission. The experimental results have
shown that the incident laser beam's collimation was maintained after coupling to a planar waveguide. A
characterization set-up using two prisms was designed for measuring transmission characteristics of integrated structures
and eventually planar waveguides in the visible or in the IR range. Since a reasonable overall optical efficiency of 10%
has been demonstrated for this set-up, the prism approach can be eventually utilized in Bragg Grating structures
characterization.
The applications of microwave optoelectronics are extremely large since they extend from the Radio-over-Fibre to the
Homeland security and defence systems. Then, the improved maturity of the optoelectronic components operating up to
40GHz permit to consider new optical processing functions (filtering, beamforming, ...) which can operate over very
wideband microwave analogue signals. Specific performances are required which imply optical delay lines able to
exhibit large Time-Bandwidth product values. It is proposed to evaluate slow light approach through highly dispersive
structures based on either uniform or chirped Bragg Gratings. Therefore, we highlight the impact of the major parameters
of such structures: index modulation depth, grating length, grating period, chirp coefficient and demonstrate the high
potentiality of Bragg Grating for Large RF signals bandwidth processing under slow-light propagation.
Because electro-optic switches are key elements for the synthesis of large bandwidth, high dynamic, true time delay
optically controlled microwave antennas, we designed, fabricated and characterized a new digital optical switch grown
on InP substrate, and based on carrier-induced effects. The switching time is short (3ns) and there is no added noise on
the optical signal. By introducing this switch in a microwave optical link at 1GHz frequency, we demonstrate that a 72dB
microwave crosstalk (more than 36dB on the optical signal) can be achieved. The low current consumption of 60mA
makes our device suitable for the optical control of microwave antennas.
Microwave photonics contributes through ultrafast devices to the processing of high data rates. In this area, microwave photoconductive switches (MPCSs) in integrated technology have proved their performances to control the transmission of high frequency signals in complex systems. Their ability to switch microwave signal phase and magnitude is fully defined by a complex frequency-dependant ON/OFF ratio RON/OFF determined from S-Parameters measurements in microwave frequency domain. This paper reports on a new design of MPCSs to be used, after realization and evaluation, as a basic block in optically controlled MMIC devices for application in high frequency samplers or phase shifters.
This paper is focused on the demonstration of an externally modulated analogue fibre-optic link that improves microwave gain with minimal penalty on the output noise. The key device is the optical source composed of parallel wavelength-multiplexed semi-conductor lasers. The microwave gain is proportional to the optical power incident onto the photodetector, while the noise figure is also related to the optical noise parameter ("RIN") of the laser source. The dedicated multi-laser source increases the total optical power well over the maximum values of so-called "power" DFB lasers. Thus it leads to an improved link gain over bandwidths broader than 20 GHz. Simultaneously, this arrangement reduces the equivalent RIN of the multi-laser source (compared to the constituting DFB laser RINs), which keeps the noise figure to a low level. The constituting laser chips are wavelength-multiplexed into a single monomode fibre then into an external modulator. The use of a wavelength multiplexer reduces the insertion losses of each individual DFB laser into the common fibre, in order to increase the total optical power delivered into the link. The wavelength-multiplexing also shifts unwanted heterodyning beatings between optical carriers beyond the photoreceiver bandwidth. We report theoretical and experimental considerations on potential limitations of this device for microwave signal remoting. Experiments show that the modulator efficiency, the signal phase (for each optical carrier) and the microwave distortions have negligible dependency with respect to optical wavelength, while non-linear optical interactions along the fibre are not a stringent penalty. Finally, due to chromatic dispersion limits, we demonstrate the application of broad-bandwidth microwave signal remotings with high gains and low noise figures to a few hundred-metres fibre-link lengths.
We propose to review two concepts that can be used for target detection and identification in optronic systems: lidar-radar and multipectral polarimetric active imaging.
The lidar-radar concept uses an optically pre-amplified intensity modulated lidar, where the modulation frequency is in the microwave domain (1-10 GHz). Such a system permits to combine directivity of laser beams with mature radar processing. As an intensity modulated or dual-frequency laser beam is directed onto a target, the backscattered intensity is collected by an optical system, pass through an optical preamplifier, and is detected on a high speed photodiode in a direct detection scheme. A radar type processing permits then to extract range, speed and profile of the target for identification purposes. The association of spatially multimode amplifier and direct detection allows low sensitivity to atmospheric turbulence and large field of view. We present here the analysis of a lidar-radar that uses a radar waveform dedicated to range resolution. Preliminary experimental results are presented and discussed.
For the multispectral polarization active imaging concept, the acquisition, at different wavelengths, of images coded in intensity and in degree of polarization enables to get information about the spectral signature of targets as well as their polarization properties. A theoretical analysis and a experimental validation of this technique are presented. Preliminary experiments, using a monostatic configuration, will be also presented.
A fibered optoelectronic arbitrary waveform generator for radar applications is demonstrated. The proposed optoelectronic arbitrary radar waveform generator permits to generate predefined electrical waveforms according to radar specifications. Through the use of an optical frequency shifter, a beat signal at the central frequency of the radar is generated in a homodyne optical setup. An original Doppler module based on acousto-optic techniques permits to generate multiple arbitrary frequencies around the central frequency of the radar to simulate the Doppler signature of a target. In this paper, we demonstrate the ability to generate microwave arbitrary waveforms with a radar central frequency fro 12 GHz up to 14 GHz with up to 700 Doppler frequency components and more than 17 dB spurious extinction ratio.
We present theoretical study, technological realization and characterization of fabricated devices: TIR switches, electro-optical directional coupler switches and DOS switches because of their good linearity, low noise figure and short switching time which make them particularly suitable for microwave applications.
We propose an optoelectronic arbitrary radar waveform generator. It permits to generate predefined electrical waveforms according to radar specifications by driving phase and amplitude distributions of optically carried microwave signals. The control of amplitudes and phases of each radar spectrum frequency component is optically achieved by spatial light modulators (SLM). We present and experimentally demonstrate two ways to achieve the kilohertz high resolution between the frequency components of a radar signal at 7.1 GHz central frequency.
An optoelectronic arbitrary-waveform generator has been proposed and experimentally developed for radar applications. It permits generating predefined waveforms by driving the amplitudes and phases of optically carried microwave signals. The optical architecture combines a high- resolution frequency shifter (for the heterodyne generation of the microwave signal) with spatial light modulators (for the parallel control of amplitudes and phases). Such a waveform generator can be attractive for target recognition or for target simulation.
We present new optoelectronic architectures, based on parallel delay lines, performing programmable filtering of microwave signals. According to current performances of optoelectronic components, they can process optically carried microwave signals over frequency bandwidths as large as 20 GHz, with a time-frequency product up to 103. The operating principle of these structures is detailed and followed by the preliminary experimental demonstration at 1.3 GHz of a 53 dB rejection filter.
Optical fiber sensors for monitoring of structures (OSMOS) is a European collaborative research project which has, over the past three years, embraced a number of technological issues related to the problem of structural monitoring in the civil engineering and aerospace industries. A key technical objective of the program was the measurement of temperature and strain using a single sensor length. A laboratory prototype using the differential sensitivities of polarimeters based on the fundamental, LP01 mode and the first higher order LP11 mode of polarization maintaining fiber demonstrated parameter recovery to within 2 C and 5 (mu) (epsilon) . A receiver enabling quasi-distributed measurements to be made with a linear spatial resolution of 70 cm using white light polarimetry was assembled. White light polarimetry was also used in conjunction with pressure sensitive fiber to detect impact damage on a composite radome structure. Impacts of 5 Joules in magnitude were detected with a spatial resolution of around 1 cm. Microwave radio frequency subcarrier measurement techniques were used to develop the engineering processes necessary to integrate optical sensors into civil engineering structures for simulated applications trials. This enabled issues such as stress transfer, mechanical bonding and sensor protection to be addressed. For the aerospace industry, embedding of optical fiber sensors remains an important issue. Here we developed techniques for embedding connectorized fibers such that the component could be machine finished after curing, an important feature of the manufacturing process.
This paper analyzes briefly the different approaches to solve the problem of stresses generated by different thermal expansion coefficients, in brasing joints used to assemble high density electronic devices to printed circuit boards. While retaining certain ideas from some of the promising approaches, a novel approach to solve this problem is proposed in this report which involves developing a new composite solder paste containing superelastic alloy particles. Preliminary results obtained on Ni-coated NiTi wires embedded in a standard SnPb paste are reported which indicate that while the coated wires are wetted by the matrix, the adhesion between the coating and NiTi is poor. The behavior under tensile stresses have been simulated for NiTi particles incorporated composite pastes, each having a different particle volume fraction. Low strain value results show the decrease of the mean equivalent stress value when the volume fraction is increased.
This paper presents the experimental demonstration and the far field pattern characterization of an optically controlled phased array antenna. It operates between 2.5 and 3.5 GHz and is made of 16 radiating elements. The optical control uses a 2D architecture based on free space propagation and on polarization switching by N spatial light modulators of pxp pixels. It provides 2N-1 time delays values and an analog control of the 0 to 2(pi) phase for each of the pxp signals feeding the antenna (N equals 5, p equals 4).
This paper reviews the progress of an ongoing research program at Thomson-CSF and Bertin & Cie which addresses an optical fiber system dedicated to the assessment of impact induced damages on airborne multilayered structures. The method is based on the use of embedded high birefringence optical fiber sensors and distributed white light interfero-polarimetry. The first part is devoted to the transduction process efficiency within optical fibers depending on the applied force intensity, direction versus the fiber eigen axes and the interaction length. To understand the behavior of these optical fibers and calibrate the detection system, experiments have been conducted on elliptical core fibers, `bow-tie' fibers and side-hole fibers and showed a wide range of available sensitivities. The second step is related to the inclusion of optical fibers in a sandwich structure representative of an airborne dome, and composed of foam between glass/epoxy composite skins. Different designs of grooves in the foam and tube sheathings have been investigated to support and protect the optical fiber. Impacts have been performed on the structure in the 1 to 10 Joules energy range. Experimental impact location and energy measurements have been achieved for a variety of stress fields.
At present, there is an acute need for techniques in monitoring civil engineering structures, and optical fiber sensors are acknowledged to be amongst the best candidates. For more than ten years, interferometric optical fiber sensors have been widely investigated and now provide a rich extended basis for measuring strains experienced by structural elements. However, because of their periodic response, those sensors need extending measuring techniques to fulfill civil engineering requirements. Amongst different methods, Thomson-CSF and the University of Strathclyde have recently employed a microwave subcarrier system [1]. A specific sensor dedication to the arena of large civil engineering structures has been designed and tested.
This paper describes the framework and objectives of the OSMOS (Optical fiber Sensing system for MOnitoring of Structures) project. OSMOS is a CEC funded BRITE project with the aim of demonstrating the industrial feasibility of manufacturing optical fiber smart structures for Civil Aeronautics and Civil Engineering. The sensor concepts and associated technological issues to be addressed are presented in connection with the specific applications investigated in the framework of this project.
This paper presents our preliminary results on the use of fiber optic sensors for impact detection on Kevlar-epoxy panels. Interfero-polarimetric measurements have been performed by using two different kinds of polarization-maintaining optical fibers. The sensitivity of the fibers to internal process stresses and to external impact stresses is discussed with respect to the coating nature. The effect of an over-coating on the fiber sensitivity is also reported. Impact-induced delaminations have been observed and the optical response has been adjusted by using an appropriate over-coating.
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