Highly stable and low-noise microwave signals are indispensable in diverse fields, including time-frequency metrology, radio astronomy, and radar navigation. Traditional electrical microwave synthesis methods have reached their technical limits in terms of stability and noise control, prompting the exploration of new avenues through optoelectronic technology. Among these advancements, the optical division scheme, which utilizes ultra-stable lasers and optical frequency combs, stands out prominently. This innovative approach divides the ultra-stable lasers employed in optical clocks down to the microwave frequency band, generating microwave signals with unprecedented stability and minimal noise. Assistant Professor Xie Xiaopeng, a member of the team, holds this remarkable record.

However, current optical division systems often suffer from being bulky and structurally complex, hindering their widespread practical applications.