This book is devoted to the theoretical and experimental investigation
of the optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) with direct and external
modulation of laser emission. Such devices, sources of precision radio
frequency oscillations using laser excitation, are novel and
technologically relevant, with manifold possible applications. The book
includes a review of the present state of the theory and generation
techniques in microwave and mm-wave ranges for traditional and
optoelectronic oscillators, description of OEO construction and
operation principles, theoretical oscillation analysis and mathematical
description of the relevant semi-classical laser physics, and
investigation of the power spectral density of noises. Technical
features and advantages of OEOs with external and direct modulation of
laser emission are discussed together with functional diagrams. The
characteristics of OEOs are compared with other traditional RF
oscillators, such as quartz, surface acoustic waves, and oscillators
with electromagnetic wave cavities. Special attention is paid to
Q-factors and phase noises of RF carriers at small offsets. The authors
discuss the technical characteristics of modern optoelectronic methods
for precision RF oscillation formation, such as commercial
large-dimension and compact quantum frequency standards with optical
pumping on cesium and rubidium cells. This book is aimed at scientists
and engineers in academia and industry who work with sources of
microwave and mm-wave signals.
