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Published on: September 5, 2019
Tunable all-optical wavelength broadcasting in a PPLN with multiple QPM peaks
Meenu Ahlawat1, Amirhossein Tehranchi, Krishnamoorthy Pandiyan
1Department of Engineering Physics, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada. meenu.meenu@polymtl.ca
Optics Express
|November 29, 2012
Summary
This study demonstrates tunable wavelength broadcasting for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) using a novel nonlinear crystal. This method efficiently shifts multiple idler wavelengths to cover numerous WDM channels.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Nonlinear Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is crucial for high-capacity optical communication.
- Efficiently broadcasting signals to multiple WDM channels is a key challenge.
- Nonlinear optical processes offer pathways for wavelength manipulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate tunable multiple-idler wavelength broadcasting for WDM systems.
- To utilize a novel periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) device with an aperiodic domain.
- To achieve selective channel coverage for signal broadcasting.
Main Methods:
- Employing a cascaded nonlinear mixing process (χ(2)) in a 10-mm-long PPLN crystal.
- Utilizing pump wavelength detuning within the second-harmonic generation (SHG) bandwidth to vary idler spacing.
- Implementing temperature-assisted tuning of quasi-phase-matching (QPM) pump wavelengths for idler shifting.
Main Results:
- Successful demonstration of tunable multiple-idler wavelength broadcasting.
- Idler spacing was effectively controlled by detuning the pump wavelength.
- Temperature tuning allowed shifting of idlers to cover up to 40 WDM channels with a <10 nm overall shift.
Conclusions:
- The novel aperiodic domain PPLN device enables efficient and tunable multiple-idler broadcasting.
- This technique provides a flexible method for covering multiple WDM channels.
- The demonstrated approach has significant implications for advanced optical communication systems.
