Phase and time delays for microwave signals using photocarrier drift in a semiconductor

We present and experimentally demonstrate, at 1.6 GHz, the generation of phase and time delays on microwave signals in a photoconductive semiconductor. It takes advantage of the synchronous drift of photogenerated carriers with a moving interference pattern. Phase and time delays are controlled according to the relative orientation of the moving interference pattern with a high-speed photodetector array. Owing to the resonant principle, high sensitivity is available which is suitable for the control of signals in phased array antennas.