Bernhard Schmauss

NOLM-based RZ-DPSK signal regeneration

We present a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM)-based 2R-regenerator setup, which is capable of regenerating signals modulated in phase-sensitive modulation formats. In a conventional NOLM, fluctuations of the signal amplitude are converted into phase fluctuations. Therefore, it is not suitable for regeneration of signals, modulated in formats such as differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) or duobinary. In this letter, we present a modified NOLM setup for 2R-regeneration taking return-to-zero DPSK as an example.

2R-Regeneration of an RZ-DPSK Signal Using a Nonlinear Amplifying Loop Mirror

The performance of a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror as a 2R-regenerator for return-to-zero differential-phase-shift-keyed signals has been investigated experimentally. The measured power characteristics and phase functions show that the signal amplitude is regenerated while the signal phase is preserved in the setup. A significant eye-opening improvement and a negative power penalty of about 1.5 dB were obtained

Experimental cross-polarization detection of coupling far-field light to highly confined plasmonic gap modes via nanoantennas

We experimentally demonstrate the coupling of far-field light to highly confined plasmonic gap modes via connected nanoantennas. The excitation of plasmonic gap modes is shown to depend on the polarization, position, and wavelength of the incident beam. Far-field measurements performed in crossed polarization allow for the detection of extremely weak signals re-emitted from gap waveguides and can increase the signal-to-noise ratio dramatically.

Optimization of a Nonlinear Amplifying Loop Mirror for Amplitude Regeneration in Phase-Shift-Keyed Transmission

We present the numerical optimization of the transmission characteristics of a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror for amplitude regeneration of phase-encoded optical transmission formats. Adjusting the splitting factor, the amplifier gain and the phase bias, minimal phase distortions can be achieved while strong amplitude fluctuations are regenerated. The limiting effects of noise from the built-in amplifier and of amplified Rayleigh backscattering are also discussed.

2R-Regeneration of an 80-Gb/s RZ-DQPSK Signal by a Nonlinear Amplifying Loop Mirror

The performance of a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror as a 2R-regenerator for an 80-Gb/s return-to-zero differential-quadrature-phase-shift-keyed signal has been investigated experimentally. A significant eye-opening improvement and a negative power penalty of up to 2.6 dB were obtained.

Experimental investigation of a modified NOLM for phase-encoded signal regeneration

We experimentally investigate the amplitude and phase transfer characteristics of a modified nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) with a directional attenuator (DA-NOLM) optimized for differential phase-shift keying signal regeneration. The results show that the phase relation is preserved in the setup and thus the DA-NOLM is suitable for amplitude regeneration of phase-shift-keyed signals

Use of Fiber Nonlinearities for Signal Improvement in Optical Transmission Systems

Optical data signals suffer from signal distortion and noise accumulation during transmission over long distances. In this paper we report on the usage of nonlinear fiber effects for improvement of the signal quality in two examples. On the one hand side we describe our work on the regeneration of phase encoded signals using nonlinear optical loop mirror setups. On the other hand side Raman effect based optical attenuators for the suppression of power transient caused by changes in channel numbers are discussed. Index Terms – Nonlinear optical effects, Optical regeneration, Optical power transient

Chirp-Free Transmission through a NOLM Based Optical Regenerator

We experimentally show that a strongly asymmetric nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) based 2-R regenerator does not degrade the pulse quality in a fiber optic transmission line. The signal at the NOLM output port shows only negligible chirp if a fundamental soliton propagates in the strong arm of the NOLM. This behavior is measured for splitting ratios of 91:09 and 85:15. The NOLM does not insert penalties regarding the pulse shape and is therefore suitable for inline regeneration of optical transmission lines.

BER improvement using a 2-R regenerator based on an asymmetric nonlinear optical loop mirror

BER improvement of 15 decades is observed using an asymmetric NOLM at a bitrate of 40Gbit/s and an input OSNR of 28.7dB. The BER improvement can be converted into 3.9dB of OSNR gain. Both were achieved by optimizing NOLM input power and splitting ratio. This allows for longer spans and thus reduces the over all amount of amplifiers or allows for an increased system reach.

Optical signal regeneration at different modulation formats

Optical transmission systems made impressive progress in the field of system capacity, reach and flexibility. Beside all improvements achieved so far, signal distortion on the one hand side and noise accumulation on the other hand side are the limitations of optical transmission systems. In terms of signal distortion besides advanced link design strategies optical regenerators are of high interest for signal conditioning along a fiber link. Furthermore the upcoming techniques of advanced modulation formats build a basis for further improvement of transmission quality that ends up with even higher reach, higher robustness against transmission impairments, lower signal to noise requirements etc. In this talk the current status of research in the field of optical signal regenerators suitable for signal regeneration for different modulation formats will be reviewed and presented, where we restrict our analysis to 2R regenerators. The focus will be put on regenerators taking advantage of non linear optical effects in order to improve signal quality. The main challenge is the treatment of phase modulated signals within regenerators. Especially the differential phase shift keying (DPSK) modulation format or the duobinary modulation format are attractive candidates for such kind of regenerators for further improvement of DPSK based transmission systems. The paper will go through several regenerative concepts like non linear optical loop mirror (NOLM) based and cross phase modulation based regenerators in order to figure out their potential for advanced modulation format based systems.