Independent phase and magnitude control of an optically carried microwave signal with a three-terminal vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

We demonstrate a compact integrated method for phase and magnitude control of an optically carried microwave signal with no external high-frequency ci rcuitry. Our device consists of a novel three contact VCSEL, which permits external control of both the cavity loss and gain, Independent control of t he phase and magnitude of the optically carried signal is demonstrated. Wit h reference to the small-signal rate equations, we show that such independe nt control is only possible given the extra degree of freedom offered by th e three contact design.