A frequency synthesizer for generating a multiple tone lightwave signal that
can
be converted into an RF carrier or local oscillator signal. The frequency synthesizer
comprises a multiple mode master laser, two slave lasers injection-locked to the
master laser, an optical coupler coupling the optical outputs of the two slave
lasers, which produces an optical heterodyne output. The frequency synthesizer
further comprises a homodyne phase-lock loop providing feedback control over one
of the slave lasers and a heterodyne phase-lock loop providing feedback control
over the other slave laser. A local oscillator selector is used to select the optical
mode to which one of the slave lasers is locked, thus providing selection of the
frequencies of the heterodyne output.