Abstract: A multi-mode optic can receive as input a radio-frequency (RF) signal imposed on an optical carrier, and can output a speckle pattern. A digital representation of the radio-frequency signal can be obtained based on the speckle pattern. An optical sensor can be irradiated with a first portion of the speckle pattern, the first portion of the speckle pattern including an optical intensity profile that is different than an optical intensity profile of a second, spatially separated, portion of the speckle pattern. The multi-mode optic can impose the optical intensity profile on the first portion of the speckle pattern as a function of wavelength of the optical carrier. The optical intensity profiles of portions of the speckle pattern can define a mixing matrix. The digital representation of the RF signal can be obtained based on an output of the optical sensor and the mixing matrix.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting wideband signals into the digital domain are provided herein. The system may include an electronic or guided-wave optic based replicator configured to obtain at least M replicas of a signal applied thereto, and an electronic or guided-wave optic based segmenter configured to segment a signal applied thereto into at least N segments based on time or wavelength. Together, the replicator and the segmenter obtain M×N segment replicas of the received signal. An electronic or guided-wave optic based mixer is configured to multiply the M×N segment replicas by a mixing matrix having dimension M×N and then to form M integrations each of N segment replicas so as to obtain a measurement vector of length M. A signal recovery processor is configured to obtain a digital representation of the received signal based on the measurement vector and the mixing matrix.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting wideband signals into the digital domain are provided herein. The system may include an electronic or guided-wave optic based replicator configured to obtain at least M replicas of a signal applied thereto, and an electronic or guided-wave optic based segmenter configured to segment a signal applied thereto into at least N segments based on time or wavelength. Together, the replicator and the segmenter obtain M×N segment replicas of the received signal. An electronic or guided-wave optic based mixer is configured to multiply the M×N segment replicas by a mixing matrix having dimension M×N and then to form M integrations each of N segment replicas so as to obtain a measurement vector of length M. A signal recovery processor is configured to obtain a digital representation of the received signal based on the measurement vector and the mixing matrix.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a photonic impulse generator comprising a periodically chirped photonic source a single-frequency photonic source, a photodetector, an optical coupler, and a filter. The optical coupler may be positioned to couple an output of the single-frequency photonic source to an output of the periodically chirped photonic source, resulting in a combined photonic signal. The photodetector may be positioned to receive the combined photonic signal and generate a combined electrical signal. The filter may be in electrical communication with an output of the photodetector to receive the combined electrical signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a photonic impulse generator comprising a periodically chirped photonic source a single-frequency photonic source, a photodetector, an optical coupler, and a filter. The optical coupler may be positioned to couple an output of the single-frequency photonic source to an output of the periodically chirped photonic source, resulting in a combined photonic signal. The photodetector may be positioned to receive the combined photonic signal and generate a combined electrical signal. The filter may be in electrical communication with an output of the photodetector to receive the combined electrical signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting wideband signals in the optical domain are provided. A device for obtaining a digital representation of a received signal may include a spatially dispersive element that may be configured to spatially disperse frequencies in an optical-domain representation of the received signal; a spatial light modulator that may be configured to mix the dispersed optical frequencies by imposing a mixing matrix on an optical intensity of the dispersed optical frequencies; an optical sensor that may be configured to obtain an electrical representation of the mixed dispersed optical frequencies; and a signal recovery processor that may be configured to obtain a digital representation of the received signal based on the electrical representation and the mixing matrix. The signal recovery processor may be further configured to determine a modulation format of the digital representation and may demodulate the digital representation based on the modulation format.

Abstract: A planar spectrograph for demultiplexing optical wavelength signals includes a monolithic substrate. The substrate has a diffraction grating etched therein. The diffraction grating is integrally formed in the substrate to be in operative relationship with input light to diffract and reflect the input light to a detector. A recess is formed in the substrate to accommodate a separate slab waveguide. A slab waveguide is dimensioned and configured to fit within the recess, and the waveguide guides input light to and from the diffraction grating. A silicon-on-insulator spectrographs is also described, as well as, fabrication processes for manufacturing these spectrographs.

Abstract: A planar spectrograph for demultiplexing optical wavelength signals includes a monolithic substrate. The substrate has a diffraction grating etched therein. The diffraction grating is integrally formed in the subtstrate to be in operative relationship with input light to diffract and reflect the input light to a detector. A recess is formed in the substrate to accommodate a separate slab waveguide. A slab waveguide is dimensioned and configured to fit within the recess, and the waveguide guides input light to and from the diffraction grating. A silicon-on insulator spectrographs is also described, as well as, fabrication processes for manufacturing these spectrographs.