Dynamic optical phase state detector

A method for measuring the state of optical phase comprising the steps of:

• modulating an optical signal with a radio frequency (RF) signal so as to generate a first light beam and a second light beam, at least one of which is shifted in frequency by an amount corresponding to the RF;
• changing the state of optical phase of the first light beam using a photonic component;
• interferometrically combining the phase changed beam and the second light beam so as to produce a heterodyne optical signal at the RF beat frequency having a phase corresponding to the state of the optical phase of the phase changed light beam;
• converting the heterodyne optical signal into an electrical signal at the optical beat frequency and having a phase corresponding to the state of optical phase of the phase changed light beam;
• dividing the frequency of the RF signal and the electrical signal and generating a pulse waveform from the divided RF signal and the divided electrical signal, the pulse waveform having a duty cycle that reflects the relative phase state of the divided signals;
• and
• filtering the pulse waveform to produce an output signal having a linear correspondence to the state of optical phase of the phase changed light beam.