Experimental Study of Single- and Multicast Wavelength Conversion at 10 Gb/s Exploiting Four-Wave Mixing in Highly Non-Linear-Photonic Crystal Fiber with Widely Tunable Conversion Range

Abstract

Optical networking applications require the use of all-optical wavelength converters with input and output wavelength tenability as well as large numbers of multicasting channels. This article demonstrates the single-to-multiple wavelength conversion via multiple four-wave mixings between a 10-Gbit/s return-to-zero signal and several continuous waves co-propagating in a dispersion-flattened highly non-linear photonic crystal fiber. For single-to-single channel wavelength conversion, a wide conversion range of 31 nm is achieved with the optimal conversion efficiency of ?21.4 dB. By employing several continuous-wave probe lights, tunable single-to-dual and single-to-triple channel wavelength conversions are experimentally demonstrated, respectively. Moreover, the dynamic characteristics of the designed wavelength converter are studied under the conditions of variable input powers, polarization mismatch, and different lengths of the highly non-linear-photonic crystal fiber. The system is transparent to both bit rate and modulation format. This is very useful for engineering design and applications of optical-fiber-based wavelength converters in future ultra-high-speed photonic networks.     

All-optical NRZ-to-RZ format conversion with dual channel wavelength multicasting functions exploiting cross-phase modulation in a dispersion-flattened nonlinear photonic crystal fiber

All-optical single-to-dual channel format conversion from NRZ to RZ at 10 Gbit/s using cross phase modulation (XPM) in dispersion flattened highly nonlinear photonic crystal fiber (DF-HNL-PCF) is demonstrated. Format conversion with dual channels signal multicasting function is achieved by filtering simultaneously the blue- and red-chirped components of broadened optical spectrum induced by XPM between NRZ signal and clock light. Moreover, the wavelength tunability and dynamics characteristics of proposed format converter are also exploited experimentally by using NRZ signal light with different central wavelength and varying input power. Our results show that a wide wavelength operation range of 21.2 nm, extinction ratio (ER) and Q factor of over 10.9 dB and 6.1 are obtained. Furthermore, the influence of central wavelength offset of optical bandpass filter on converted RZ signal quality is investigated. The proposed scheme is simple, robust, and transparent to bit rate, which makes it very potential for application in future photonic networks.     

基于LOA-XGM波长转换器消光比特性的数值分析

建立了基于一种新型光放大器（线性光放大器）的交叉增益调制波长转换理论模型.对交叉增益调制波长转换器同向工作方式下的输出消光比进行了分析,讨论了抽运光和探测光的波长和功率等参量对转换后信号消光比特性的影响.结果表明:随着抽运光波长的增加,波长转换器的输出消光比逐渐增大,但对于探测光波长的增加,消光比反而减小；增加抽运光功率和减小探测光功率都可以获得较大的消光比；波长向下转换时的消光比明显优于向上转换时的消光比.     

All-optical wavelength conversion based on cross-phase modulation

We have proposed and demonstrated an all-optical scheme of wavelength conversion based on cross-phase modulation (XPM). The frequency shift and broadening of a continuum wave induced by XPM in a dispersion-shifted fiber (DSF) is experimentally observed. Then, the wavelength conversion is achieved through the filtering by a fiber grating. The results indicate that wavelength conversion based on the cross-phase modulation of DSF is simple, efficient, and universal with wide conversion ranges and high rates.     

Nonlinear properties of quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifiers at 1.3 μm Invited Paper

The dynamics of nonlinear processes in quantum dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are investigated. Using small-signal measurements, the suitabilities of cross-gain and cross-phase modulation as well as four wave mixing (FWM) for wavelength conversion are examined. The cross-gain modulation is found to be suitable for wavelength conversion up to a frequency of 40 GHz.     

基于半导体光放大器四波混频效应的多种调制格式的波长转换实验

实验报道了利用半导体光放大器(SOA)的四波混频(FWM)效应实现多种码型的波长转换.其中对于非归零(NRZ)信号实现了从单信道到三信道的多波长转换.调制速率从10 Gb/s到40 Gb/s均实现多波长转换.对于归零(RZ)信号分别实现了20 Gb/s和40 Gb/s的RZ格式的波长转换和40 Gb/s的载波抑制归零(CSRZ)格式的波长转换,利用光纤布拉格光栅(FBG)作为带陷滤波器消除共轭光和抽运光之间的串扰.对于非归零差分相移键控(NRZ_DPSK)信号分别实现了20 Gb/s和40 Gb/s的波长转换,利用实验室自制的光纤延时干涉仪进行NRZ-DPSK信号的解调.基于FWM效应的转换光的输出消光比大于7 dB,转换后消光比退化约为3 dB.     

Performance analysis of symmetrical 10 Gbps colorless WDM-PON using subcarrier modulated downstream and wavelength converted upstream through RSOA

Here we have demonstrated a novel architecture of colorless wavelength division multiplexed-passive optical network (WDM-PON) and analyze its performance which is capable of transmitting 10 Gbps data symmetrically in both downstream and upstream. In this architecture downstream data is subcarrier modulated (SCM) using radio frequency (RF) as subcarrier and laser frequency as carrier with the help of a Mach–Zehnder modulator (MZM). For upstream data modulation an electro-absorption modulator, an optical coupler and reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA) are used. Upstream data is transmitted through wavelength conversion between pump wavelength and continuous wave light sent from central office (CO) using cross gain modulation (XGM) in RSOA. Pump wavelengths have separate wavelength band than the carrier's wavelength sent from optical network unit (ONU) and can be chosen any one in its band. Since carrier reuse scheme is implemented so all the ONUs are operates in colorless mode. Effect of ER of delay interferometer (DI) on output OCSR of DI for different input OCSR is performed for SCM data. Simulation is performed with all 16 downlink and 16 uplink channels having data rate of 10 Gbps having acceptable performance.     

Performance improvement of 10-Gb/s XGM wavelength conversion by using polarization control structure

By utilizing the cross polarization modulation effect in semiconductor optical amplifier(SOA), the extinc tion ratio of cross gain modulation(XGM)wavelength conversion was enhanced, the pattern effect was significantly reduced,and the power penalty of wavelength conversion was reduced by 5 dB simultane-ously. Furthermore, by adjusting the settings of polarization controllers, both inverted and non-inverted wavelength conversion can be achieved right in the same wavelength converter.     

Numerical analysis for four-wave mixing based wavelength conversion of differential phase-shift keying signals

We numerically investigate the main constrains for high efficiency wavelength conversion of differential phase-shift keying （DPSK） signals based on four-wave mixing （FWM） in highly nonlinear fiber （HNLF）. Using multi-tone pump phase modulation techniques, high efficiency wavelength conversion of DPSK signals is achieved with the stimulated BriIlouin scattering （SBS） effects effectively suppressed. Our analysis shows that there is a compromise between conversion efficiency and converted idler degradation. By optimizing the pump phase modulation configuration, the converted DPSK idler＇s degradation can be dramatically decreased through balancing SBS suppression and pump phase modulation degradation. Our simulation results also show that these multi-tone pump phase modulation techniques are more appropriate for the future high bit rate systems.     

All-optical wavelength converter based on fiber cross-phase modulation and fiber Bragg grating

I present new method of phase modulation to amplitude modulation conversion (PM/AM conversion) that utilizes integrating capabilities of fiber Bragg grating (FBG). I found that the wavelength converter based on fiber cross-phase modulation (XPM) and new method of PM/AM conversion have an order of magnitude higher conversion efficiency then the wavelength converter based on sideband filtration method and up to 6 dB higher conversion efficiency then the converter based on the nonlinear optical loop mirror. Numerical analysis and experimental results are provided for bit rates up to 40 Gb/s.     

Simultaneous multichannel wavelength conversion of polarization shift keying signal with different channel group-delay and state of polarization

Simultaneous wavelength conversion of multichannel polarization shift keying (PolSK) signal using four-wave-mixing in highly non-linear fiber is demonstrated. In the proposed wavelength converter, the wavelengths of four 10-Gb/s polarization shift keying channels are simultaneously converted without any performance degradation for the converted channels. We successfully achieved high conversion performances for all the converted channels even though the input PolSK channels have different delay time and state of polarization.     

Broadband wavelength converter based on four-wave mixing in a highly nonlinear photonic crystal fiber

We demonstrate a 10 Gbit/s nonreturn-to-zero wavelength converter based on four-wave mixing in a 20 m highly nonlinear photonic crystal fiber. The tunable wavelength conversion bandwidth (3 dB) is about 100 nm. The conversion efficiency is -16 dB when the pump power is 22.5 dBm. Phase modulation was not used to suppress the stimulated Brillouin scattering; thus the linewidth of the converted wavelength remained very narrow. The eye diagrams show that there is no additional noise during wavelength conversion. The measured power penalty at a 10(-9) bit-error-rate level is about 0.7 dB.     

Analysis of all optical cascaded XGM wavelength converter using CW-holding beam

In this paper, we propose and analyze a wavelength conversion using an cross-gain modulation (XGM) with two semiconductor optical amplifiers and CW-holding beam for improvement of wavelength conversion speed and frequency chirp characteristics. Wavelength conversion characteristics of the cascaded XGM with a CW-holding beam are investigated in time domain. From the simulation, we have observed that the proposed scheme provides a non-inverted efficient wavelength conversion and frequency chirp reduction at higher bit rate operation.     

半导体激光器实现波长转换的理论模型分析

作为自动交换光网络中的核心器件，全光波长转换器的研究是目前的热点。提出了基于半导体激光器实现波长转换的理论模型，采用小信号分析方法，利用速率方程求解了波长转换的频率调制响应特性。并初步研究了不同半导体激光器工作电流、码速、输入信号光功率、增益吸收系数条件对波长转换性能的影响。这对于优化基于半导体激光器的全光波长转换器有一定的参考价值。     

饱和吸收体实现波长转换的理论模型分析

作为自动交换光网络中的核心器件,全光波长转换器在网络中发挥着重要作用。基于半导体激光器速率方程,提出了新的基于饱和吸收体实现全光波长转换器的理论模型;并针对该理论模型,采用小信号分析方法讨论了波长转换的频率调制响应特性;数值求解了不同偏置电流、码速、输入信号光功率对波长转换性能的影响,对于实现和优化基于饱和吸收体的全光波长转换器有理论指导作用。     

Ultrafast and bias-free all-optical wavelength conversion using III-V-on-silicon technology

Using a 7.5 μm diameter disk fabricated with III-V-on-silicon fabrication technology, we demonstrate bias-free all-optical wavelength conversion for non-return-to-zero on-off keyed pseudorandom bit sequence (PRBS) data at the speed of 10 Gbits/s with an extinction ratio of more than 12 dB. The working principle of such a wavelength converter is based on free-carrier-induced refractive index modulation in a pump-probe configuration. We believe it to be the first bias-free on-chip demonstration of all-optical wavelength conversion using PRBS data. All-optical gating measurements in the pump-probe configuration with the same device have revealed that it is possible to achieve wavelength conversion beyond 20 Gbits/s.     

Erbium doped fiber ring laser for optical wavelength conversion

We experimentally investigate the gain saturation effect of a piece of 8 m long Erbium doped fiber (EDF), we introduce a theoretical model for the EDF ring loop, and our simulation results show very good cross-gain modulation (XGM) and wavelength conversion. We also experimentally investigate the XGM in an EDF ring loop system. Based on the study of the XGM in the EDF ring loop system, a wavelength conversion is designed with the EDF ring loop system. The EDF ring loop systems as a wavelength conversion is experimentally demonstrated by converting a sinusoidal modulated optical signal at wavelength of 1551 nm to an optical signal at wavelength of 1553.3 nm.     

Electro-optic transparent frequency conversion of a continuous light wave based on multistage phase modulation

Frequency conversion of a continuous light wave based on multistage phase modulation has been investigated both analytically and numerically. The proposed frequency-conversion process consists of three stages: (i) phase modulation and chirp compression to generate a pulse train, (ii) Doppler shift of the pulse center frequency in a second phase modulation, and (iii) demodulation of the pulse train. By controlling the modulation power we can select the destination frequency from an equally spaced grid separated by the modulation frequency. A conversion efficiency of approximately 40% has been numerically confirmed with respect to a destination frequency of +/- 50 channels. Carrier frequency conversion of an analog data stream is numerically demonstrated.     

Comprehensive research on self phase modulation based optical delay systems

This paper comprehensively investigates the properties of self phase modulation based optical delay systems consisting of dispersion compensation fibre and highly nonlinear fibres.It researches into the impacts of power level launched into highly nonlinear fibres,conversion wavelength,dispersion slope,modulation format and optical filter bandwidth on the overall performance of optical delay systems.The results reveal that,if the power launched into highly nonlinear fibres is fixed,the time delay generally varies linearly with the conversion wavelength,but jumps intermittently at some conversion wavelengths.However,the time delay varies semi-periodically with the power launched into highly nonlinear fibres.The dispersion slope of highly nonlinear fibres has significant influence on the time delay,especially for the negative dispersion slope.The time delay differs with modulation formats due to the different combined interaction of nonlinearity and dispersion in fibres.The bandwidth of the optical filters also greatly affects the time delay because it determines the bandwidth of the passed signal in the self phase modulation based time delay systems.The output signal quality of the overall time delay systems depends on the conversion wavelength and input power level.The optimisation of the power level and conversion wavelength to provide the best output signal quality is made at the end of this paper.     

Modified model for four-wave mixing-based wavelength conversion in silicon micro-ring resonators

A modified model for wavelength conversion based on the four-wave mixing (FWM) in a silicon micro-ring resonator is presented. Unlike previous contributions, the nonlinear phase shifts caused by self-phase modulation and cross-phase modulation are also taken into account in the present theoretical analysis besides the linear propagation loss and the nonlinear losses caused by two-photon absorption and free-carrier absorption. Analysis shows that the nonlinear phase shifts will cause different red shifts for the pump and signal (or converted) resonant wavelengths, and consequently an additional wavelength difference between the signal transmission dip and the efficiency peak, which will increase/decrease the conversion efficiency of the signal channel far from/near the pump. The conversion efficiency and the conversion peak width of each signal channel are both affected by the micro-ring radius and coupling coefficient. A broader conversion peak width can be obtained by using a micro-ring resonator with a smaller Q factor.