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Time- and wavelength-interleaved optical pulse train generation based on dispersion spreading and sectional
Huy Quoc Lam1, Kenneth Eng Kian Lee, Peng Huei Lim
1Temasek Laboratories @ NTU, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Drive, 637553, Singapore. hqlam@ntu.edu.sg
Optics Letters
|June 29, 2012
Summary
A novel method generates time- and wavelength-interleaved optical pulse trains using dispersion spreading and compression. This simple, robust technique avoids microwave components and multiwavelength lasers, enabling ultraflat supercontinuum generation.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Optical Engineering
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Generating high-repetition-rate optical pulse trains is crucial for various applications.
- Existing methods often require complex setups, including microwave components or multiple laser sources.
- Simpler, more robust techniques are needed for efficient optical pulse generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate a new method for generating time- and wavelength-interleaved optical pulse trains.
- To achieve a higher pulse repetition rate from a lower-rate source.
- To showcase the capability of generating an ultraflat supercontinuum spectrum.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing dispersion spreading and sectional compression of optical pulses.
- Employing a 2 GHz mode-locked pulse train as input.
- Analyzing the generated pulse train characteristics and supercontinuum spectrum.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated a 4x2 GHz time- and wavelength-interleaved optical pulse train.
- Demonstrated the simplicity and robustness of the proposed method.
- Achieved ultraflat supercontinuum generation with an 18 nm bandwidth and <0.5 dB fluctuation over a 3.2 nm central bandwidth.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method offers a simple and robust way to generate time- and wavelength-interleaved optical pulse trains.
- The technique eliminates the need for microwave components and multiwavelength laser sources.
- The demonstrated supercontinuum generation highlights the potential of this approach for optical signal processing and spectroscopy.
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