Voltage-Controlled Photonic RF True-Time Delay Using a Tapered Chirped Fiber Bragg Grating

A photonic RF true-time delay using a tapered chirped fiber Bragg grating coated with a heating electrode has been proposed and fabricated. For an RF signal carried over an optical signal, the time delay has been achieved by controlling the voltage applied to the electrode and thus adjusting its reflection positions from the fiber grating through the thermooptic effect. It features continuous voltage-controlled operation, requiring no mechanical perturbation and no moving parts. The measured time delay was about 120 ps with the electrical power consumption of 250 mW.