Microwave Photonics 2017

A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2018) | Viewed by 57385

Special Issue Editor

School of Engineering, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NT, UK
Interests: microwave photonics; optical communications and biophotonics; for widespread industrial; communications; biomedical; defense applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microwave photonics (MWP) is an emerging interdisciplinary area that investigates the deep interactions between microwaves and light waves for efficient generation, distribution, processing, control, and sensing of microwave, millimeter-wave, and terahertz signals. Owing to inherent advantages offered by optics, such as high speed, broad bandwidth and reduced electromagnetic interference, MWP has become an enabling technology for widespread fields ranging from defense applications, such as radar and electronic warfare systems, to civil applications, such as wireless and satellite communications, imaging and instrumentation.

This Special Issue will focus on the latest advances in this multi-disciplinary research area, ranging from novel devices to system test and new applications. Both original research papers and review articles are welcome to present in this Special Issue. Technical topics include but not limited to the following.

  •     high speed optoelectronic devices
  •     integrated microwave photonics
  •     microwave photonic signal processing
  •     photonic microwave signal and arbitrary waveform generation
  •     radio over fiber and 5G
  •     THz photonics
  •     microwave photonics for innovative applications

SI Best paper award (300 CHF) will be selected from this SI.

Dr. Chao Wang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Photonic microwave generation
  • Microwave photonic filters
  • Integrated microwave photonics
  • Radio over fiber
  • Optical wireless communications
  • Microwave photonic sensing and measurements
  • Photonic analog-to-digital conversion
  • THz photonics

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 4024 KiB  
Article
Broadband Terahertz Light–Matter Interaction Enhancement for Precise Spectroscopy of Thin Films and Micro-Samples
by Romain Peretti, Flavie Braud, Emilien Peytavit, Emmanuel Dubois and Jean-François Lampin
Photonics 2018, 5(2), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics5020011 - 17 May 2018
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6066
Abstract
In biology, molecules and macromolecules such as sugars, proteins, DNA, RNA, etc., are of utmost importance. Detecting their presence as well as getting information on their actual structure is still a challenge in many cases. The vibrational states of such molecules correspond to [...] Read more.
In biology, molecules and macromolecules such as sugars, proteins, DNA, RNA, etc., are of utmost importance. Detecting their presence as well as getting information on their actual structure is still a challenge in many cases. The vibrational states of such molecules correspond to a spectral range extending from infrared to terahertz. Spectroscopy is used for the detection and the identification of such compounds and their structure. Terahertz spectroscopy of a biosample is challenging for two main reasons: the high terahertz absorption by water molecules in the sample; and the small size of the sample—its volume is usually smaller than the cube of the terahertz wavelength, thus the light–matter interaction is extremely reduced. In this paper, we present the design, fabrication, characterization, and first typical use of a biophotonic device that aims to increase the light–matter interaction to enable terahertz spectroscopy of very small samples over a broad band (0.2–2 THz). Finally, we demonstrate the validity of our approach by time-domain spectroscopy of samples of a few µL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microwave Photonics 2017)
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10 pages, 2158 KiB  
Article
Design Considerations for Integration of Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy in Microfluidic Platforms
by Rasha Al-Hujazy and Christopher M. Collier
Photonics 2018, 5(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics5010005 - 10 Mar 2018
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4816
Abstract
Microfluidic platforms have received much attention in recent years. In particular, there is interest in combining spectroscopy with microfluidic platforms. This work investigates the integration of microfluidic platforms and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) systems. A semiclassical computational model is used to simulate the [...] Read more.
Microfluidic platforms have received much attention in recent years. In particular, there is interest in combining spectroscopy with microfluidic platforms. This work investigates the integration of microfluidic platforms and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) systems. A semiclassical computational model is used to simulate the emission of THz radiation from a GaAs photoconductive THz emitter. This model incorporates white noise with increasing noise amplitude (corresponding to decreasing dynamic range values). White noise is selected over other noise due to its contributions in THz-TDS systems. The results from this semiclassical computational model, in combination with defined sample thicknesses, can provide the maximum measurable absorption coefficient for a microfluidic-based THz-TDS system. The maximum measurable frequencies for such systems can be extracted through the relationship between the maximum measurable absorption coefficient and the absorption coefficient for representative biofluids. The sample thickness of the microfluidic platform and the dynamic range of the THz-TDS system play a role in defining the maximum measurable frequency for microfluidic-based THz-TDS systems. The results of this work serve as a design tool for the development of such systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microwave Photonics 2017)
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10 pages, 10533 KiB  
Article
Terahertz Radome Inspection
by Fabian Friederich, Karl Henrik May, Bessem Baccouche, Carsten Matheis, Maris Bauer, Joachim Jonuscheit, Michael Moor, David Denman, Jamie Bramble and Nick Savage
Photonics 2018, 5(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics5010001 - 8 Jan 2018
Cited by 56 | Viewed by 7338
Abstract
Radomes protecting sensitive radar, navigational, and communications equipment of, e.g., aircraft, are strongly exposed to the environment and have to withstand harsh weather conditions and potential impacts. Besides their significance to the structural integrity of the radomes, it is often crucial to optimize [...] Read more.
Radomes protecting sensitive radar, navigational, and communications equipment of, e.g., aircraft, are strongly exposed to the environment and have to withstand harsh weather conditions and potential impacts. Besides their significance to the structural integrity of the radomes, it is often crucial to optimize the composite structures for best possible radio performance. Hence, there exists a significant interest in non-destructive testing techniques, which can be used for defect inspection of radomes in field use as well as for quality inspection during the manufacturing process. Contactless millimeter-wave and terahertz imaging techniques provide millimeter resolution and have the potential to address both application scenarios. We report on our development of a three-dimensional (3D) terahertz imaging system for radome inspection during industrial manufacturing processes. The system was designed for operation within a machining center for radome manufacturing. It simultaneously gathers terahertz depth information in adjacent frequency ranges, from 70 to 110 GHz and from 110 to 170 GHz by combining two frequency modulated continuous-wave terahertz sensing units into a single measurement device. Results from spiraliform image acquisition of a radome test sample demonstrate the successful integration of the measurement system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microwave Photonics 2017)
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Review

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12 pages, 17659 KiB  
Review
Photonics-Based Microwave Image-Reject Mixer
by Dan Zhu and Shilong Pan
Photonics 2018, 5(2), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics5020006 - 26 Mar 2018
Cited by 48 | Viewed by 8143
Abstract
Recent developments in photonics-based microwave image-reject mixers (IRMs) are reviewed with an emphasis on the pre-filtering method, which applies an optical or electrical filter to remove the undesired image, and the phase cancellation method, which is realized by introducing an additional phase to [...] Read more.
Recent developments in photonics-based microwave image-reject mixers (IRMs) are reviewed with an emphasis on the pre-filtering method, which applies an optical or electrical filter to remove the undesired image, and the phase cancellation method, which is realized by introducing an additional phase to the converted image and cancelling it through coherent combination without phase shift. Applications of photonics-based microwave IRM in electronic warfare, radar systems and satellite payloads are described. The inherent challenges of implementing photonics-based microwave IRM to meet specific requirements of the radio frequency (RF) system are discussed. Developmental trends of the photonics-based microwave IRM are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microwave Photonics 2017)
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4068 KiB  
Review
Microwave Signal Processing over Multicore Fiber
by Sergi García, David Barrera, Javier Hervás, Salvador Sales and Ivana Gasulla
Photonics 2017, 4(4), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4040049 - 8 Dec 2017
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5859
Abstract
We review the introduction of the space dimension into fiber-based technologies to implement compact and versatile signal processing solutions for microwave and millimeter wave signals. Built upon multicore fiber links and devices, this approach allows the realization of fiber-distributed signal processing in the [...] Read more.
We review the introduction of the space dimension into fiber-based technologies to implement compact and versatile signal processing solutions for microwave and millimeter wave signals. Built upon multicore fiber links and devices, this approach allows the realization of fiber-distributed signal processing in the context of fiber-wireless communications, providing both radiofrequency access distribution and signal processing in the same fiber medium. We present different space-division multiplexing architectures to implement tunable true time delay lines that can be applied to a variety of microwave photonics functionalities, such as signal filtering, radio beamsteering in phased array antennas or optoelectronic oscillation. In particular, this paper gathers our latest work on the following multicore fiber technologies: dispersion-engineered heterogeneous multicore fiber links for distributed tunable true time delay line operation; multicavity devices built upon the selective inscription of gratings in homogenous multicore fibers for compact true time delay line operation; and multicavity optoelectronic oscillation over both homogeneous and heterogeneous multicore fibers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microwave Photonics 2017)
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1995 KiB  
Review
Integrated Microwave Photonics for Wideband Signal Processing
by Xiaoke Yi, Suen Xin Chew, Shijie Song, Linh Nguyen and Robert Minasian
Photonics 2017, 4(4), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4040046 - 30 Nov 2017
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 7752
Abstract
We describe recent progress in integrated microwave photonics in wideband signal processing applications with a focus on the key signal processing building blocks, the realization of monolithic integration, and cascaded photonic signal processing for analog radio frequency (RF) photonic links. New developments in [...] Read more.
We describe recent progress in integrated microwave photonics in wideband signal processing applications with a focus on the key signal processing building blocks, the realization of monolithic integration, and cascaded photonic signal processing for analog radio frequency (RF) photonic links. New developments in integration-based microwave photonic techniques, that have high potentialities to be used in a variety of sensing applications for enhanced resolution and speed are also presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microwave Photonics 2017)
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4542 KiB  
Review
Tunable Multiband Microwave Photonic Filters
by Mable P. Fok and Jia Ge
Photonics 2017, 4(4), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4040045 - 23 Nov 2017
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 8657
Abstract
The increasing demand for multifunctional devices, the use of cognitive wireless technology to solve the frequency resource shortage problem, as well as the capabilities and operational flexibility necessary to meet ever-changing environment result in an urgent need of multiband wireless communications. Spectral filter [...] Read more.
The increasing demand for multifunctional devices, the use of cognitive wireless technology to solve the frequency resource shortage problem, as well as the capabilities and operational flexibility necessary to meet ever-changing environment result in an urgent need of multiband wireless communications. Spectral filter is an essential part of any communication systems, and in the case of multiband wireless communications, tunable multiband RF filters are required for channel selection, noise/interference removal, and RF signal processing. Unfortunately, it is difficult for RF electronics to achieve both tunable and multiband spectral filtering. Recent advancements of microwave photonics have proven itself to be a promising candidate to solve various challenges in RF electronics including spectral filtering, however, the development of multiband microwave photonic filtering still faces lots of difficulties, due to the limited scalability and tunability of existing microwave photonic schemes. In this review paper, we first discuss the challenges that were facing by multiband microwave photonic filter, then we review recent techniques that have been developed to tackle the challenge and lead to promising developments of tunable microwave photonic multiband filters. The successful design and implementation of tunable microwave photonic multiband filter facilitate the vision of dynamic multiband wireless communications and radio frequency signal processing for commercial, defense, and civilian applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microwave Photonics 2017)
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12019 KiB  
Review
Simultaneous Multi-Channel Microwave Photonic Signal Processing
by Lawrence R. Chen, Parisa Moslemi, Ming Ma and Rhys Adams
Photonics 2017, 4(4), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4040044 - 17 Nov 2017
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6543
Abstract
Microwave photonic (MWP) systems exploit the advantages of photonics, especially with regards to ultrabroad bandwidth and adaptability, features that are significantly more challenging to obtain in the electronic domain. Thus, MWP systems can be used to realize a number of microwave signal processing [...] Read more.
Microwave photonic (MWP) systems exploit the advantages of photonics, especially with regards to ultrabroad bandwidth and adaptability, features that are significantly more challenging to obtain in the electronic domain. Thus, MWP systems can be used to realize a number of microwave signal processing functions including, amongst others, waveform generation and radio-frequency spectrum analysis (RFSA). In this paper, we review recent results on fiber and integrated approaches for simultaneous generation of multiple chirped microwave waveforms as well as multi-channel RFSA of ultrahigh repetition optical rate pulse trains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microwave Photonics 2017)
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