The stable long-distance transmission of radio-frequency (RF) signals holds significant importance from various aspects, including the comparison of optical frequency standards, remote monitoring and control, scientific research and experiments, and RF spectrum management. We demonstrate a scheme where an ultrastable frequency signal was transmitted over a 50 km coiled fiber. The optical RF signal is generated using a two-section distributed feedback (DFB) laser for direct modulation based on the reconstruction equivalent chirp (REC) technique. The 3-dB modulation bandwidth of the two-section DFB laser is 18 GHz and the residual phase noise of -122.87dBc/Hz is achieved at 10-Hz offset frequency. We report a short-term stability of 1.62×10-14 at an average time of 1 s and a long-term stability of 6.55×10-18 at the measurement time of 62,000 s when applying current to the front section of the DFB laser. By applying power to both sections, the stability of the system improves to 4.42×10-18 within a testing period of 56,737 s. Despite applying temperature variations to the transmission link, long-term stability of 8.63×10-18 at 23.9 h can still be achieved.

Modulation bandwidth enhancement in a directly modulated two-section distributed feedback (TS-DFB) laser based on a detuned loading effect is investigated and experimentally demonstrated. The results show that the 3-dB bandwidth of the TS-DFB laser is increased to 17.6 GHz and that chirp parameter can be reduced to 2.24. Compared to the absence of a detuned loading effect, there is a 4.6 GHz increase and a 2.45 reduction, respectively. After transmitting a 10 Gb/s non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signal through a 5-km fiber, the modulation eye diagram still achieves a large opening. Eight-channel laser arrays with precise wavelength spacing are fabricated. Each TS-DFB laser in the array has side mode suppression ratios (SMSR) > 49.093 dB and the maximum wavelength residual < 0.316 nm.

Weak RF signal detection with high resolution and no blind zone based on directly modulated multi-mode optoelectronic oscillation has been proposed. The high-sensitivity optical modulators and optical filters are avoided because multi-mode oscillation is obtained based on directly modulating the semiconductor laser at the relaxation oscillation frequency. For the directly modulated optoelectronic oscillator, the detection characteristics such as gain for the RF signal, resolution, noise floor, and sensitivity are firstly analyzed. The experimental results are consistent with the simulated results. For the RF signal of unknown frequency, it can be detected out and amplified by tuning the bias current and delay time of the loop. There is no blind zone within 1–4.5 GHz. The system provides a maximum gain of 17.88 dB for the low-power RF signal. The sensitivity of the system can reach as high as -95dBm. The properties such as gain dynamic range and power stability are also investigated. The system has potential for weak RF signal detection, especially for the RF signal with unknown frequency.

We demonstrate a high-resolution frequency-modulated continuous-wave dual-frequency LIDAR system based on a monolithic integrated two-section (TS) distributed feedback (DFB) laser. In order to achieve phase locking of the two lasers in the TS-DFB laser, the sideband optical injection locking technique is employed. A high-quality linear frequency-modulated signal is achieved from the TS-DFB laser. Utilizing the proposed LIDAR system, the distance and velocity of a target can be measured accurately. The maximum relative errors of distance and velocity measurement are 1.6% and 3.18%, respectively.

We report on diode-pumped continuous-wave Pr-doped yttrium lithium fluoride (Pr:YLF) laser and its frequency doubling to 320 nm. The maximum output power of the 640 nm fundamental wave reached 3.44 W with a slope efficiency of about 48.3%. Using a type-I phase-matched lithium triborate (LBO) crystal as a frequency doubler, we have achieved 320 nm ultraviolet radiation with a maximum output power of 1.01 W, which is the highest power ever reported under diode pumping, to the best of our knowledge.

We report on a diode-end-pumped high-power and high-energy Nd:YAG single-crystal fiber laser at 1834 nm. Two 808 nm diodes injecting about 58 W pump power into the Nd:YAG fiber have generated 3.28 W continuous-wave and 1.66 W Cr:ZnSe-based passively Q-switched lasers. Slope efficiencies with respect to pump powers are 8.7% for the continuous-wave laser and 4.9% for the Q-switched laser. The extracted maximum pulse energy is about 266.9 μJ, and the corresponding maximum pulse peak power is 2.54 kW. These performances greatly surpass previous results regarding this specific laser emission because the laser gain medium in the form of fiber can significantly mitigate thermally induced power saturation thanks to its significantly reduced thermal lensing effect. Single-crystal fiber lasers show great potential for high average power, pulse energy, and peak power.

We review the recent work of distributed-feedback (DFB) multi-wavelength semiconductor laser arrays (MWLAs) based on the reconstruction equivalent chirp (REC) technique. The experimental results show that the proposed MWLA has very high wavelength precision (<±0.1 nm), while the fabrication cost is low. Only one step of holographic exposure and another step of photolithography are required for grating fabrication. The packaging technique for a high-bandwidth analog DFB laser and laser array was developed. A directly modulated MWLA transmitter module was achieved. In addition, an improved MWLA with an integrated reflector was proposed and successfully applied in a radio-over-fiber system.