Photonic notch filter without optical coherence limitations

A new topology for a photonic notch filter that can solve the coherent interference problem in photonic signal processors is presented in this paper. It is based on a double-pass modulation technique. The key advantage of this new structure is that it completely removes the dominant phase noise limitation, which is a fundamental problem with existing incoherent processor approaches. It also enables arbitrary narrow-linewidth telecommunication-type lasers to be used with stable and robust filter operation. Extensions to obtain tunable notch frequency and wide-passband notch filter operation are presented. Results demonstrate robust notch filter operation with a narrow-linewidth source, no phase-induced intensity noise, and a vastly superior signal-to-noise ratio performance (i.e., a nearly 60-dB increase) compared with the conventional delay line notch filter. Tunable coherence-free operation of the notch filter is also shown. Finally, a new structure that not only operates without coherence limitations but also realizes a notch filter with a wide passband of more than 50% of the free spectral range is demonstrated.