Relationship between the sensitivity and beam splitting ratio, conversion efficiency, and local oscillator power in...

Area of Science:

• Optical Communications
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Balanced detection is vital for modern wireless and optical fiber communication systems.
• Existing research has not fully clarified the interplay between balanced detection sensitivity and key operational parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically and simulationally investigate the relationship between balanced detection sensitivity and local oscillator power (P_LO), consistency parameter (Δα), and beam splitting ratio (ε).

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations were employed to analyze the impact of varying P_LO, Δα, and ε on balanced detection sensitivity.
• Communication system simulations were conducted to validate the numerical findings.

Main Results:

• Decreasing the beam splitting ratio (ε) enhances sensitivity and reduces local oscillator power (P_LO).
• The consistency parameter (Δα) influences the optimal beam splitting ratio for minimum sensitivity, with larger |Δα| causing greater shifts and higher minimum sensitivity.
• Higher tolerable P_LO is achievable as ε approaches 0.5.
• Average quantum efficiency is more critical than maximum quantum efficiency or balance.

Conclusions:

• Understanding these parameter relationships is key to optimizing balanced detection sensitivity.
• The findings provide valuable guidance for the design and enhancement of future optical communication systems.