Experimental demonstration of a balanced electroabsorption modulated microwave photonic link

A novel balanced electroabsorption modulated photonic link for simultaneous suppression of even-order distortions, third-order distortions, laser rela tive intensity noise (RIN), and common amplified spontaneous emission noise at the same modulator bias point was experimentally demonstrated for the f irst time. By biasing the balanced electroabsorption modulator at the third -order null, the third-order distortions were suppressed, while the balance d link architecture suppressed all even-order distortions and common mode n oises. The fabricated balanced electroabsorption modulator (B-EAM) showed w ell-matched dc characteristics in terms of I-V and transfer curve. System e xperiments were performed to compare Single-EAM and B-EAM links. In the B-E AM link, 2-dB suppression of laser RIN and 20-dB improvement in spurious fr ee dynamic range over the single-EAM link were observed.