Optical differential low-noise receivers and related methods

An optical receiver comprising:

• a differential amplifier having first and second inputs and first and second outputs;
• a first photodetector configured to produce a first photocurrent and a second photodetector configured to produce a second photocurrent, the first and second photodetectors being coupled to the first input of the differential amplifier, wherein an anode of the first photodetector is coupled to a cathode of the second photodetector thereby producing a first differential current based on a difference between the first photocurrent and the second photocurrent;
• a third photodetector configured to produce a third photocurrent and a fourth photodetector configured to produce a fourth photocurrent, the third and fourth photodetectors being coupled to the second input of the differential amplifier, wherein a cathode of the third photodetector is coupled to an anode of the fourth photodetector thereby producing a second differential current based on a difference between the fourth photocurrent and the third photocurrent;
• and
• a photonic circuit configured to provide:
• a first optical signal to the first and third photodetectors, and
• a second optical signal to the second and fourth photodetectors.