Fiberoptic/Electro-Optic Antenna Array System

We propose to develop a unique, broad frequency range, millimeter-wave (mmW) receiver system suitable for field applications in signal intercept and tracking, based on electro-optic sensing of the received field. The sensing element as well as severalother high frequency components will be made using our unique electro-optic polymer technology. Previous developments in optical modulator technology (110 GHz, 106 dB electrical SNR, Vpi ~ 1 V) have been applied to making electo-optic receiverand to upgrading our optical millimeter wave synthesis technology (4-60 GHz, 10 ms setting time, 20 Hz linewidth). We have demonstrated in this program that this sensor architecture should be compatible with acquisition of carriers up to 120 GHz, atbroadcast levels less than tens of Watts at distances over 1 km. Compared with conventional RF photonics using glass or crystalline integrated optic materials, these devices have the potential for much lower excess loss, better optical performance, betterpower handling, and much lower cost.These systems by themselves already have a large number of commercial and military applications - both in RF photonics and telecommunications.