Optically implemented synthesis of microwave frequencies

An optical approach to the implementation of RF synthesis is described which utilizes the single-sideband feature of acousto-optic modulation to achieve synthesis via the mix-and-divide approach without the use of filters. Alternative approaches to reference signal switching are examined, and their relative advantages evaluated. Preliminary experimental results are presented which demonstrate that the required signal purity and spurious signal suppression can be achieved in the mixing and detection of two AO-modulated beams.