Opto-electronic oscillator having a positive feedback with an open loop gain greater than one

A method of generating an oscillatory optical signal comprising the steps of:

• modulating an optical signal with an electrical control signal in an electro-optical modulator to produce a modulated optical output signal having a frequency related to the electrical control signal,
• forming an active feedback loop having a positive feedback with an open loop gain greater than one to effect the oscillation,
• converting a portion of the modulated optical output signal to an electrical signal that propagates in the feedback loop, and
• supplying the electrical signal produced in the converting step to the electro-optical modulator through the feedback loop as the electrical control signal.

A photonic device, comprising:

• an electro-optical modulator having an input port for signals of a predetermined form, and having an output port for signals of a second predetermined form, one of said first and second predetermined forms being an electrical oscillating signal at an oscillating frequency and the other of said first and second predetermined forms being an optical oscillating signal that is modulated at said oscillating frequency;
• and
• a converter operable to convert said first predetermined form signal to said second predetermined form signal;
• and
• an element operable to conduct said first predetermined form signal to said converter and to conduct said second predetermined form signal to said input port, to form a feedback loop which uses both said electrical and optical signal and synchronizes to both, said feedback loop having a positive feedback with an open loop gain greater than one.