Variable carrier reduction in radio-over-fiber systems for increased modulation efficiency using a Si3N4 tunable extinction ratio ring resonator.

Variable optical carrier reduction via the use of a Si3N4 ring resonator notch filter with tunable extinction ratio is demonstrated in a 10 GHz radio-over-fiber system for improving the modulation efficiency. The extinction of the filter notch is tuned with micro-heaters, by setting the Mach-Zehnder coupler of the ring. Experimental results showing a modulation depth improvement of up to 20 dB are provided. (c) 2012 Optical Society of America