Patent ID: 7106497

Claim:
A low-noise optical frequency converter, comprising: means for converting an input light wave with a predetermined microwave electric signal to output a light wave that includes a first-order upper-sideband or lower-sideband and a third-order lower-sideband or upper-sideband, means for modulating a light wave identical to the input light wave with a signal having an angular frequency that is three times that of the microwave electric signal to form a first light wave having a first-order lower-sideband or upper-sideband, and means for mixing the first light wave with a second light wave having a first-order upper-sideband or lower-sideband and a third-order lower-sideband or upper-sideband, with a phase of the third-order lower-sideband or upper-sideband reversed to a phase of the first light wave to suppress third-order sidebands.