Patent attributes
A system and related method for multiple-sensitivity optical phase modulation splits an optical carrier generated by a photonic source into at least two copies and directs the copies through an electro-optical (EO) phase modulator wherein the optical field associated with the optical carrier overlaps with a radio frequency (RF) electrical field associated with a radio frequency (RF) input signal, such that the EO modulator phase-modulates each optical copy according to the RF input signal of interest based on characteristics distinct to each optical copy (e.g., relative strength of, or proximity of the optical carrier to, the overlapping electrical field) that provide for phase modulation of each optical copy at a different sensitivity voltage. The variably modified optical copies are directed to a photonic processor for further signal processing in the optical domain.