Microwave Photonics

In this paper, an overview is given on the fundamental concepts of a special kind of ultrafast photonic device based upon the interaction of propagating microwave signals with optical beams. The characteristic properties are due to coplanar transmission lines leading to cut-off frequencies in the THz range. In particular, high speed travelling-wave photodetectors are first discussed, followed by a presentation of novel modulators and SEED — self electrooptic effect device — elements with interesting properties.