We have analyzed the linearity performance of analog fiber-optic links based on electroabsorption modulators (EAM) operating at high optical power. The negative feedback caused by photocurrent generation improves the modulator linearity in the gain saturation regime. In the absence of laser relative intensity noise (RIN), the link spur-free dynamic range (SFDR) increases with the power of four-thirds of the input optical power after gain saturation occurs. A multi-octave SFDR of more than 135 dB/Hz(2/3) has been found to be achievable with sufficiently high power. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America

A novel electroabsorption modulator (EAM) using intrastep quantum wells (IQWs) and a single-sided large optical cavity waveguide is demonstrated to operate at up to 100 mW of input optical power. When the IQW EAM with uncoated facets is tested in an analog fiber link, the radio-frequency link gain reaches -16.1 dB at 100-mW optical power. We have measured a single-octave spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of 121 dB (.) Hz(4/5) and multioctave SFDR of 110 dB (.) Hz(2/3) for this EAM.