Mode spacing multiplication of optical frequency combs without power loss

We demonstrate the mode spacing multiplication of optical frequency combs (OFCs) using interleaving technique. The pulse train of an OFC after interleaving is phase modulated, and phase demodulation is necessary for mode spacing multiplication. This scheme enables mode spacing multiplication without power loss in principle, which is in contrast to the conventional mode filtering technique. During demonstration, the mode spacing of the OFC of a mode-locked Er-doped fiber laser (repetition rate of 97 MHz) is quadrupled by the interleaving process and successive phase demodulation.