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All-optical pulse regeneration in an ultrafast nonlinear interferometer with Faraday mirror polarization
Shelby J Savage1, Bryan S Robinson, Scott A Hamilton
1MIT Lincoln Laboratory, 244 Wood Street, Lexington, Massachusetts 02420, USA. ssavage@ll.mit.edu
Optics Letters
|March 27, 2003
Summary
We developed a folded ultrafast nonlinear interferometer (FUNI) for all-optical signal regeneration. This 3R regenerator achieves high-speed data processing with low energy consumption and high timing-jitter tolerance.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Optical Communications
- Nonlinear Optics
Background:
- All-optical signal regeneration is crucial for high-speed optical networks.
- Existing regenerators often face limitations in speed, energy efficiency, or polarization stability.
- Ultrafast nonlinear optics offers potential for compact and high-performance regeneration solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the folded ultrafast nonlinear interferometer (FUNI) as a 3R (Reshaping, Retiming, Regenerating) all-optical regenerator.
- To evaluate the performance of the FUNI regenerator in terms of speed, energy efficiency, and jitter tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a folded ultrafast nonlinear interferometer (FUNI) configuration.
- Employing Faraday rotation for inherent polarization stabilization.
- Leveraging the nonlinear optical fiber medium for ultrafast operation and tunable switching windows.
Main Results:
- Successful demonstration of 3R all-optical regeneration.
- Achieved 10-Gbit/s data regeneration.
- Recorded a pulse switching energy of 5 pJ.
- Demonstrated a timing-jitter tolerance of 4 ps.
Conclusions:
- The FUNI is a viable and effective all-optical regenerator for high-speed data transmission.
- The design offers inherent polarization stability and ultrafast switching capabilities.
- The system shows promise for future optical network applications requiring efficient signal regeneration.