Tunable frequency upconversion based on a directly modulated DFB-LD and FP-LD injection

We show a simple, convenient, and cost-effective scheme for tunable frequency upconversion at millimeterwave band without a local oscillator. By launching a 2.5-Gb/s directly modulated baseband signal into a Fabry-Perot laser diode （FP-LD）, the mode of the FP-LD is locked by the high-order sideband of the injected signal. The beating frequency of the injection-locked mode and the injected signal can generate upconversion subcarriers. In our experiment, tunable frequency subcarriers of 28.4, 29.3, and 30.5 GHz are obtained without any radio-frequency local oscillator. The single sideband phase noises of -83.88, -76.36, and -78.54 dBc/Hz @ 10 kHz （at 28.4-, 29.3-, and 30.5-GHz subcarriers, respectively） are shown. The proposed scheme has potential to generate much higher frequency carriers.     

Femtosecond optical frequency combs

A laser frequency comb allows the conversion of the very rapid oscillations of visible light of some 100’s of THz down to frequencies that can be handled with conventional electronics. This capability has enabled the most precise laser spectroscopy experiments yet that allowed to test quantum electrodynamics, to determine fundamental constants and to search for possible slow changes of these constants. Using an optical frequency reference in combination with a laser frequency comb has made it possible to construct all optical atomic clocks, that are now outperforming even the best cesium atomic clocks. In future direct frequency comb spectroscopy might enable high resolution laser spectroscopy in the extreme ultraviolet for the first time. Frequency combs are also used to calibrate astronomical spectrographs and might reach an accuracy that is sufficient to observe the expansion of the universe in real time.     

Joint estimation of frequency offset and chromatic dispersion based on the training sequences in M-ary QAM coherent optical transmission system

A data-aided method of joint frequency offset and chromatic dispersion estimation based on the Chu training sequences is shown in 112 Gb/s polarization-multiplexed （PM） quadrature phase-shift keying and 224 Gb/s PM-16-quadrature amplitude modulation with different pulse-shaping filters, respectively. The proposed method achieves a good accuracy and is verified to be robust to polarization mode dispersion.     

Data-aided channel estimation and frequency domain equalization of minimum-shift keying in optical transmission systems

We demonstrate a digital optical communication system based on minimum shift keying （MSK） signal transmission with coherent detection. 5-Gb/s MSK signal can transmit over a 160-km standard single mode fiber （SSMF） without phase compensation. At the receiver, we use data-aided channel estimation and frequency domain equalization （FDE） techniques in the digital signal processing （DSP） algorithm, then analyze its performance characteristics compared with quadrature phase shift keying （QPSK） format. The simulation results show that the MSK format will be a potential candidate for next-generation access network.     

Parallel generation of 31 tripartite entangled states based on optical frequency combs

Quantum entangled states, especially those having particular properties, are key resources for quantum information and quantum computation. In this paper, we put forward a new scheme to produce 31 continuous–variable(CV) tripartite entanglement fields based on three optical frequency combs via cascade nonlinear processes in an optical parametric cavity,and investigate the spectral characteristics of three frequency combs. The center wavelengths of the three combs are designed as 852 nm, 780 nm(atomic transition lines), and 1550 nm(fiber communication wavelength). The positivity under partial transposition(PPT) criterion, which is sufficient and necessary, is used to evaluate the entanglement in each group of comb lines. This scheme is experimentally feasible and valuable for constructing quantum information networks in future.     

Sidelobe suppression analysis of microwave photonic filter based on spectrum-shaped optical frequency combs

A finite impulse-response microwave photonic filter is typically achieved based on spectrum-shaped optical frequency combs and a dispersive element. We propose an analytical model to describe the amplitude responses of the sidelobes. The model shows that the sidelobe suppression ratio is limited by the spectrum structure of the optical combs. By taking Gaussian-profiled combs as an example, it is both theoretically and experimentally proved that the suppression ratio can be improved by optimizing the spectral power range, which is defined as the ratio of the maximum tap weight to the minimum tap weight.     

Coherent multiheterodyne spectroscopy using stabilized optical frequency combs

The broadband, coherent nature of narrow-linewidth fiber frequency combs is exploited to measure the full complex spectrum of a molecular gas through multiheterodyne spectroscopy. We measure the absorption and phase shift experienced by each of 155 000 individual frequency-comb lines, spaced by 100 MHz and spanning from 1495 to 1620 nm, after passing through hydrogen cyanide gas. The measured phase spectrum agrees with the Kramers-Kronig transformation of the absorption spectrum. This technique can provide a full complex spectrum rapidly, over wide bandwidths, and with hertz-level accuracy.     

Tunable and broadband microwave frequency combs based on a semiconductor laser with incoherent optical feedback

Based on a semiconductor laser(SL) with incoherent optical feedback, a novel all-optical scheme for generating tunable and broadband microwave frequency combs(MFCs) is proposed and investigated numerically. The results show that, under suitable operation parameters, the SL with incoherent optical feedback can be driven to operate at a regular pulsing state, and the generated MFCs have bandwidths broader than 40 GHz within a 10 d B amplitude variation. For a fixed bias current, the line spacing(or repetition frequency) of the MFCs can be easily tuned by varying the feedback delay time and the feedback strength, and the tuning range of the line spacing increases with the increase in the bias current. The linewidth of the MFCs is sensitive to the variation of the feedback delay time and the feedback strength, and a linewidth of tens of KHz can be achieved through finely adjusting the feedback delay time and the feedback strength. In addition,mappings of amplitude variation, repetition frequency, and linewidth of MFCs in the parameter space of the feedback delay time and the feedback strength are presented.     

Polarization multiplexing QPSK signal transmission in optical wireless-over f iber integration system at W-band

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel scheme to realize polarization-division-multiplexing quadrature-phase-shift-keying(PDM-QPSK) signal transmission over fiber, wireless and fiber at W-band(75-110 GHz). The generation of polarization multiplexing millimeter-wave(mm-wave) wireless signal is based on the photonic technique. After 20-km fiber transmission, polarization diversity and heterodyne beating are implemented to convert the polarization components of the polarization-multiplexing signals from the optical baseband to W-band so that up to 16 Gb/s mm-wave signals can be delivered over 2-m2×2 multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) wireless link. At the receiver base station(BS), polarization combination reconstructs the PDM-QPSK signal which is then launched into another 20-km fiber. In the experiment, coherent detection is introduced to improve receiver sensitivity and constant modulus algorithm(CMA) is applied for polarization de-multiplexing. The bit-error-ratio(BER) for 16-Gb/s PDMQPSK signal delivery is below the forward-error-correction(FEC) threshold of 3.8×10-3with the optical signal-to-noise ratio(OSNR) above 11.8 dB.     

A two-stage optical frequency comb generator based on Mach-Zehnder modulator and Re-circulating frequency shifter

We propose a novel scheme to generate optical frequency comb by using a two-stage generator based on Mach-Zehnder modulator and re-circulating frequency shifter. Based on the Mach-Zehnder modulator a light source including 2 flat and stable frequency spectrum lines is generated at the first stage, and the light source is then used as the seed light in the re-circulating frequency shifter loop at the second stage. The scheme can greatly reduce the accumulated noise of the system. Through theoretical analysis and simulation it is shown that the proposed theoretical model of the two-stage system is proved in good agreement with simulation results.     

Eigenvalue spectrum analysis for temporal signals of Kerr optical frequency combs based on nonlinear Fourier transform

Based on the nonlinear Schr?dinger equation(NLSE) with damping, detuning, and driving terms describing the evolution of signals in a Kerr microresonator, we apply periodic nonlinear Fourier transform(NFT) to the study of signals during the generation of the Kerr optical frequency combs(OFCs). We find that the signals in different states, including the Turing pattern, the chaos, the single soliton state, and the multi-solitons state, can be distinguished according to different distributions of the eigenvalue spectrum. Specially, the eigenvalue spectrum of the single soliton pulse is composed of a pair of conjugate symmetric discrete eigenvalues and the quasi-continuous eigenvalue spectrum with eye-like structure.Moreover, we have successfully demonstrated that the number of discrete eigenvalue pairs in the eigenvalue spectrum corresponds to the number of solitons formed in a round-trip time inside the Kerr microresonator. This work shows that some characteristics of the time-domain signal can be well reflected in the nonlinear domain.     

High flatness optical frequency comb generator based on the chirping of modulators

A novel scheme for generation of an optical frequency comb (OFC) based on the chirping of two cascaded modulators is proposed. The first modulator is a dual-electrode Mach–Zehnder modulator (MZM), while the other modulator is an integrated MZM composed of two parallel MZMs that increases the number of comb lines. Our modified scheme can generate a large number of frequency lines with excellent flatness by simply modifying the chirp factor, and it is shown that up to 54 frequency lines could be observed. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that under the variety of conditions that can be used in this scheme, the power fluctuations of the OFC lines are less than 0.5 dB in all cases; these results demonstrate the robustness of our scheme and verify its good accuracy and high stability with perfect flatness. Additionally, our modified scheme has the merit of tunable frequency spacing, which is practical for experimental realization of the OFC.     

Optical frequency counter based on two mode-locked fiber laser combs

This work demonstrates a semi-automatic optical frequency counter based on two mode-locked fiber laser combs. The mode number of the comb line involved in the optical frequency measurement is determined by operating the two laser combs at three different repetition rates, with two of them similar enough to have the same mode number of the beating comb lines. The determination of the mode number is independent of the frequency fluctuation of the laser under measurement. The whole measurement process was automated, except for the frequency stabilization of the laser combs and the optimization of the beat signal–to–noise ratio.     

Tapered semiconductor amplifiers for optical frequency combs in the near infrared

A tapered semiconductor amplifier is injection seeded by a femtosecond optical frequency comb at 780 nm from a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser. Energy gains of more than 17 dB(12 dB) are obtained for 1 mW(20 mW) of average input power when the input pulses are stretched into the picosecond range. A spectral window of supercontinuum light generated in a photonic fiber has also been amplified. Interferometric measurements show sub-Hertz linewidths for a heterodyne beat between the input and amplified comb components, yielding no detectable phase-noise degradation under amplification. These amplifiers can be used to boost the infrared power in f-to-2f interferometers used to determine the carrier-to-envelope offset frequency, with clear advantages for stabilization of octave-spanning femtosecond lasers and other supercontinuum light sources.     

Highly selective terahertz optical frequency comb generator

Using a 10.5-GHz resonant electro-optic modulator placed inside a resonant optical cavity, we generated an optical frequency comb with a span wider than 3 THz. The optical resonator consists of three mirrors, with the output coupler being a thin Fabry-Perot cavity with a free spectral range of 2 THz and a finesse of 400. Tuning this filter cavity onto resonance with a particular high-order sideband permits efficient output coupling of the desired sideband power from the comb generator, while keeping all other sidebands inside for continued comb generation. This spectrally pure output light was then heterodyne detected by another laser with a frequency offset of the order of 1 THz.     

Stable optical trapping based on optical binding forces

Various trapping configurations have been realized so far, either based on the scattering force or the gradient force. In this Letter, we propose a new trapping regime based on the equilibrium between a scattering force and optical binding forces only. The trap is realized from the interaction between a single plane wave and a series of fixed small particles, and is efficient at trapping multiple free particles. The effects are demonstrated analytically upon computing the exact scattering from a collection of cylindrical particles and calculating the Lorentz force on each free particle via the Maxwell stress tensor.     

Focusing microwaves into subwavelength dimensions with a half-cylindrical hyperlens based on split ring resonators

Hyperlenses based on metamaterials can be applied to subwavelength imaging in the lightwave band.In this letter,we demonstrate both through simulations and experimentally verified results that our proposed halfcylindrical shaped hyperlens can be used for super-resolution microwave focusing in a TE mode.Based on split ring resonators,the hyperlens satisfies a hyperbolic dispersion relationship.Simulations demonstrate that the focused spot size and position are insensitive to the rotation angle of the hyperlens around its geometric center.Experimental results show that a focused spot size 1/3 of the vacuum wavelength is achieved in the microwave band.     

An Yb-fiber frequency comb phase-locked to microwave standard and optical reference

We present a fully stabilized Yb-fiber frequency comb locked to a microwave standard and an optical reference separately. The carrier-envelope offset frequency is generated by a standard f–2f interferometer with 40 dB signal-tonoise ratio. The offset frequency and the repetition rate are stabilized simultaneously to the radio frequency reference for more than 30 hours, and the fractional Allan deviation of the comb is the same as the microwave standard of 10^-12 at 1 s.Alternatively, the comb is locked to an ultra-stable optical reference at 972 nm using an intracavity electro-optic modulator,exhibiting a residual integrated phase noise of 458 mrad(1 Hz–10 MHz) and an in-loop tracking stability of 1.77× 10^-18 at 1 s, which is significantly raised by six orders comparing to the case locked to the microwave frequency standard.