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 widepassband 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.