High-dynamic-range fiber optic links

Apparatus, and a corresponding method for its use, for modulating an optical carrier signal with a radio-frequency signal and providing a desirably high dynamic range. An optical signal source is split into a carrier signal and a reference signal, ideally with an optical star coupler, and the carrier signal is phase-modulated with the radio-frequency signal by means of a Pockels cell, producing a phase-modulated signal devoid of even-harmonic distortion, and containing only relatively small odd-harmonic components. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the phase-modulated signal has its carrier signal suppressed. Then the resulting double-side-band suppressed-carrier signal is combined with the reference signal, preferably with another optical star coupler, to produce the desired modulated optical signal with high dynamic range.