Ultrahigh Dynamic Range and Low Noise Figure Programmable Integrated Microwave Photonic Filter

Microwave photonics (MWP) has adopted a number of important concepts and technologies over the recent pasts, including photonic integration, versatile programmability, and techniques for en- hancing key radio frequency performance metrics such as the noise figure and the dynamic range. However, to date, these aspects have not been achieved simultaneously in a single circuit. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, a multi-functional integrated microwave photonic circuit that enables on-chip programmable filtering functions while achieving record-high key radio frequency metrics of >120 dB.Hz dynamic range and 15 dB of noise figure that are previously unreachable. We unlock this unique feature by versatile complex spectrum tailoring using an all integrated modulation trans- former and a double injection ring resonator as a multi-function optical filtering component. This work breaks the conventional and fragmented approach of integration, functionality and performance that currently prevents the adoption of integrated MWP systems in real applications.