All-optical microwave notch filter with flat passband based on semiconductor optical amplifier

An all-optical filter structure for interference mitigation of microwave signals is proposed and demonstrated. The structure is based on a recirculating delay line loop (RDLL) and a fiber Bragg grating. The RDLL is comprised of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) followed by a tunable narrowband optical filter and an optical variable delay line. Negative tap is generated using wavelength conversion based on the cross-gain modulation of amplified spontaneous emission spectrum of the SOA. A negative band-pass filter and a broadband all-pass filter are synthesized to achieve a narrow notch filter with flat passband which can excise interference with minimal impact on the wanted signal over a wide microwave range. Experimental results show the notch rejection ratio of 30 dB, good shape factor and tunability. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.