Arbitrary waveform generator and differentiator employing an integrated optical pulse shaper.

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Integrated Optics
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs) and photonic differentiators are crucial for optical signal processing.
• On-chip implementations face challenges in resolution, compactness, and reconfigurability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a compact, integrated silicon-on-insulator (SOI) circuit for arbitrary optical waveform generation and high-order photonic differentiation.
• To achieve reconfigurable differentiation orders without requiring difficult-to-fabricate spectral dispersers.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a four-tap finite impulse response (FIR) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) on-chip circuit.
• Employed amplitude and phase modulation of each tap via thermal heaters.
• Integrated an optical frequency comb for waveform generation.
• Demonstrated first-, second-, and third-order differentiators using the optical pulse shaper.

Main Results:

• Successfully generated various waveforms including triangular, sawtooth, square, and Gaussian waveforms.
• Demonstrated a reconfigurable photonic differentiator capable of switching between first-, second-, and third-order.
• Achieved arbitrary waveform generation and high-order differentiation on a compact SOI chip.

Conclusions:

• The proposed SOI circuit offers a compact and integrated solution for advanced optical signal processing.
• The scheme eliminates the need for high-resolution spectral dispersers, simplifying fabrication.
• The demonstrated device shows promise for integration with electronics, enabling versatile photonic functionalities.