Broadband all-optical microwave photonics phase detector

A microwave photonics phase detector is conceived and practically demonstrated. The phase-detector system employs a semiconductor optical amplifier as a four-wave mixer to enable phase detection over a broad frequency range. The system behavior is first mathematically modeled and then demonstrated practically. Phase measurement over a frequency range of 1-18 GHz is achieved. This phase detector is an excellent candidate for wideband applications such as frequency-agile radar.