Photonic-assisted one-third microwave frequency divider

A microwave photonic frequency divider to produce a frequency-divided microwave signal with its frequency that is one-third the frequency of the input microwave signal is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The key novelty of the approach is that the phase control, a condition to realise the frequency division operation, is implemented through controlling the modulator bias voltage, enabling a wideband, high resolution and fast response phase control. One-third frequency division with an ultra-high harmonic suppression of over 71.5 dB is demonstrated for the first time.