Optical scattering induced noise in RF-photonic systems

Scattering mechanisms in optical fiber induce noise in the spectra of optical signals travelling through the fiber. This fiber-induced noise limits the quality factor of optical fiber resonators and degrades low-noise signals transmitted via optical fiber. In this work, we present preliminary data from our systematic study of optical scattering in fiber. We present noise spectra for Rayleigh and Brillouin scattering. We also demonstrate suppression of these scattering mechanisms via laser frequency modulation.