38 GHz bandwidth 1.3 µm MQW electroabsorptionmodulators for RF photonic links

Abstract
High-speed 1.3 µm MQW electroabsorption waveguide modulators have been developed for high-fidelity transmission of microwaves via fibre optic links. Their high-frequency performance was characterised for a test link without any form of amplification. An RF-to-RF link efficiency of –32 dB, noise figure of 33 dB, and suboctave spurious-free dynamic range of 105 dB·Hz2/3 have been achieved.