A linear optical sampling apparatus, temporally samples a modulated optical signal using the amplitude of the interference of its electric field with the electric field of a laser pulse. The apparatus includes a 90 optical hybrid that combines the optical signal and laser pulse in order to generate two quadratures interference samples SA and SB. A processor compensates for optical and electrical signal handling imperfections in the hybrid, balanced detectors, and A/D converters used in the optical sampling apparatus. The processor numerically scales the two quadratures interference samples SA and SB over a large collection of samples by imposing that the average SA=SB=0 and SA2=SB2 and then minimizes 2SASB/(SA2+SB2) =cos(B-A)). This is done by adjusting the phase between the two quadratures (ideally either -/2 or +/2) so that cos(B-A)) is zero. The processor then generates a demodulated sample signal using the quadratures interference samples SA and SB. According to one feature, the hybrid sets the relative phase between two quadratures of their interferometric component so that the phase sensitivity inherent to linear optics is removed. A variety of hybrid arrangements is disclosed that can be implemented using integrated waveguide technology. The apparatus enables sampling of picosecond pulses up to 640 Gb/s with high sensitivity and temporal resolution.

 
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