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All-optical frequency conversion using nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor lasers.
Sheng-Kwang Hwang1, How-Foo Chen, Che-Yang Lin
1Department of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. skhwang@mail.ncku.edu.tw
Optics Letters
|March 14, 2009
Summary
This study demonstrates a novel semiconductor laser frequency conversion technique using optical injection. The method achieves high-speed, modulation-transparent frequency conversion with continuous tuning and simultaneous up/downconversion capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Semiconductor laser dynamics
- Optical communications
Background:
- Semiconductor lasers exhibit complex dynamics under optical injection, including period-one dynamics via Hopf bifurcation.
- Frequency-shifted signals generated through this nonlinear process can be harnessed for optical frequency conversion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel semiconductor laser-based frequency conversion technique.
- To demonstrate modulation format transparency and continuous tunability of the frequency shift.
- To achieve simultaneous frequency down-, no-, and upconversion.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a standard semiconductor laser subjected to optical injection to induce period-one dynamics.
- Exploiting the emergent, equally and oppositely frequency-shifted optical signals for conversion.
- Controlling injection level and frequency to tune the frequency shift.
Main Results:
- Achieved frequency conversion with a bit-error ratio as low as 10(-12) at 2.5 Gbits/s.
- Demonstrated no or slight power penalty, indicating modulation format transparency (amplitude, frequency, and phase modulation).
- Successfully achieved simultaneous and individually selectable frequency down-, no-, and upconversion.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method offers a flexible and reconfigurable approach to optical frequency conversion using a single semiconductor laser.
- The system's modulation format transparency and tunable frequency shift are significant advantages for optical communication systems.
- This technique eliminates the need for external pump or probe lasers, simplifying the conversion unit.
