Self-starting optoelectronic oscillator for generating ultra-low-jitter high-rate (100GHz or higher) optical pulses

We demonstrate a novel, self-starting optoelectronic oscillator based on an electro-absorption modulator in a fiber-extended cavity for generating an optical pulse stream with high-rate and ultra-low jitter capabilities. Optical pulses at 10GHz repetition rate are demonstrated with >90dBc/Hz side-mode suppression and the lowest timing jitter (42fs in the 100Hz-1MHz range) reported to date for a self-starting source. Along with the optical pulse stream, the oscillator also generates a 10GHz electrical signal with ultra-low phase noise.