All-Fiber-Optics-Based Microwave Photonic Filter with Tunable Center Frequency and Passband Plus Notch

We propose and demonstrate a microwave photonic band-pass filter (MPF), which features a single light source, with continuously and independently tunable center frequency and bandwidth. The center frequency and bandwidth can be adjusted by tuning the variable optical delay line and the position of a spatial filter, respectively. Using a balanced photodetector, the baseband, which is ineradicable in some conventional designs, and the common-mode noise are canceled in our proof-of-concept experiment. Alternatively, a notch with continuously tunable frequency can also be added in the MPF. The experimental measurements of the frequency response of this MPF are demonstrated, which have a good agreement with the theoretical simulations.