Generation of frequency 32-tupling millimeter-wave based on a dual-parallel polarization modulator.

A scheme to generate a frequency 32-tupling millimeter wave (mm-wave) is proposed, enabled by two dual-parallel polarization modulators (DP-PolMs) in cascade. By properly controlling the amplitude and the phase shift of the radio-frequency (RF) driving signal applied to two DP-PolMs, the main optical components at the output of the DP-PolM are ±16th order optical sidebands and the central carrier. After the central carrier is canceled by the polarization multiplexing structure, the ±16th order optical sidebands are beaten in the photodetector; then the frequency 32-tupling mm-wave can be achieved. The optical sideband suppression ratio (OSSR) and the radio-frequency spurious suppression ratio (RFSSR) of the generated signal are 52 and 47 dB in simulation, which are consistent with the theoretical analysis values 53.7 and 47.7 dB. The influence on the OSSR and RFSSR of the generated signal by the key parameters of devices deviating from the theoretical analysis value are investigated.