Lianshan Yan

A plasmonic splitter based on slot cavity.

A plasmonic splitter based on slot cavity is proposed and numerically investigated using finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) methods. The structure consists of the input waveguide, a slot cavity and output waveguides. By varying positions of output waveguides, frequency splitter and power splitter can be achieved in the proposed structure. Flexible output power ratio is feasible through further adjusting the coupling distance and the refractive index of output waveguides.

Photonic generation of triangular-shaped pulses based on frequency-to-time conversion.

An all-fiber approach to generate triangular-shaped pulses based on frequency-to-time conversion is proposed and demonstrated. Two filter modules that have sinusoidal spectral responses are cascaded to create a triangular-shaped optical spectrum. Through the frequency-to-time conversion in a dispersive fiber, periodic triangular pulses with the same shape as the optical spectrum are obtained. The repetition rate and pulse width of the generated signals can be tuned by adjusting the modulation rate and the dispersion value, respectively.

Dispersion management of anisotropic metamirror for super-octave bandwidth polarization conversion.

Dispersion engineering of metamaterials is critical yet not fully released in applications where broadband and multispectral responses are desirable. Here we propose a strategy to circumvent the bandwidth limitation of metamaterials by implementing two-dimensional dispersion engineering in the meta-atoms. Lorentzian resonances are exploited as building blocks in both dimensions of the dedicatedly designed meta-atoms to construct the expected dispersion. We validated this strategy by designing and fabricating an anisotropic metamirror, which can accomplish achromatic polarization transformation in 4-octave bandwidth (two times of previous broadband converters). This work not only paves the way for broadband metamaterials design but also inspire potential applications of dispersion management in nano-photonics.

Higher order polarization mode dispersion compensation using a fixed time delay followed by a variable time delay

We propose and analyze a higher order polarization mode dispersion (PMD) compensator using a fixed differential group delay (DGD) section followed by a variable section. The performance limits of various PMD compensators are quantified and compared using dynamic PMD tracking. Compared with existing compensators with a single fixed DGD, the proposed compensator improves an nonreturn-to-zero 10-Gb/s link tolerance to average PMD from 28 to 44 ps. Alternatively, the tolerance increases to only 36 ps using a compensator with two fixed-DGD sections.

Lifetime Enhancement in Wireless Sensor Networks Using Fuzzy Approach and A-Star Algorithm

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are used in many applications to gather sensitive information which is then forwarded to an analysis center. Resource limitations have to be taken into account when designing a WSN infrastructure. Unbalanced energy consumption is an inherent problem in WSNs, characterized by multihop routing and a many-to-one traffic pattern. This uneven energy dissipation can significantly reduce network lifetime. This paper proposes a new routing method for WSNs to extend network lifetime using a combination of a fuzzy approach and an A-star algorithm. The proposal is to determine an optimal routing path from the source to the destination by favoring the highest remaining battery power, minimum number of hops, and minimum traffic loads. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in terms of balancing energy consumption and maximization of network lifetime, we compare our approach with the A-star search algorithm and fuzzy approach using the same routing criteria in two different topographical areas. Simulation results demonstrate that the network lifetime achieved by the proposed method could be increased by nearly 25% more than that obtained by the A-star algorithm and by nearly 20% more than that obtained by the fuzzy approach.

Photonic approach for multiple-frequency-component measurement using spectrally sliced incoherent source

A photonic approach to the instantaneous measurement of multiple frequency components using a spectrally sliced incoherent source (SSIS) is proposed. In the proposed system, a broadband incoherent source is spectrally sliced using an etalon to generate an SSIS. Each channel of the SSIS is externally modulated by a microwave signal containing multiple frequency components. The modulated SSIS is then sent to a second etalon. Thanks to the difference between the free spectral ranges of the two etalons, multiple frequency components are simultaneously estimated from the power distribution at the output channels of the second etalon. Compared with the use of a laser source array, the use of an SSIS provides a simpler way to perform multiple-frequency-component measurement.

Continuously-tunable, bit-rate variable OTDM using broadband SBS slow-light delay line

We conceptually compare the advantages of the proposed slow-light-based tunable OTDM to conventional fiber-based fixed OTDM multiplexer. We experimentally demonstrate continuously-controllable OTDM of two 2.5-Gb/s return-to-zero (RZ) signals using broadband SBS-based slow-light as the tunable optical delay line. We show that the time slot of one signal path can be manipulated relative to the other by as much as 75-ps. This continuous slow light tunability dramatically enhances the OTDM system performance which results in a power penalty reduction of 9-dB for the multiplexed data stream. We also demonstrate variable-bit-rate OTDM by dynamically adjusting the tunable slow-light delay according to the input bit-rates. We show efficient two-by-one optical time multiplexing of three different input data streams at 2.5-Gb/s, 2.67-Gb/s and 5-Gb/s.

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT)-like transmission in side-coupled complementary split-ring resonators.

We investigate a plasmonic waveguide system based on side-coupled complementary split-ring resonators (CSRR), which exhibits electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT)-like transmission. LC resonance model is utilized to explain the electromagnetic responses of CSRR, which is verified by simulation results of finite difference time domain method. The electromagnetic responses of CSRR can be flexible handled by changing the asymmetry degree of the structure and the width of the metallic baffles. Cascaded CSRRs also have been studied to obtain EIT-like transmission at visible and near-infrared region, simultaneously.

Electromagnetically Induced Transparency-Like Transmission in a Compact Side-Coupled T-Shaped Resonator

A plasmonic bus waveguide with a side-coupled T-shaped (TS) or a reverse T-shaped (RTS) resonator consisting of a parallel and a perpendicular cavities is proposed. The compact configuration could serve as a wavelength demultiplexing device as a forbidden band is achieved based on the symmetric distribution of resonators. By shifting one cavity away from the center of the resonator, the system exhibits electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) like transmission at the wavelength of the former forbidden band. The electromagnetic responses of the structure could be handled with certain flexibility by changing the asymmetric behavior of the TS or RTS resonator. Similar characteristics for two proposed structures could be obtained except for the center wavelength that is determined by the two cavities in the RTS resonator or by the cavity parallel to the bus waveguide in the TS resonator.

Photonic-Assisted Microwave Channelizer With Improved Channel Characteristics Based on Spectrum-Controlled Stimulated Brillouin Scattering

A photonic-assisted microwave channelizer with improved channel characteristics based on spectrum-controlled stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In the proposed system, N lightwaves from a laser array are multiplexed and then split into two paths. In the upper path, the lightwaves are modulated by a microwave signal with its frequency to be measured. In the lower path, for each lightwave, the wavelength is shifted to a specific shorter wavelength via carrier-suppressed single-sideband modulation and the spectrum is then shaped. The wavelength-shifted and spectrum-shaped lightwaves are used to pump a single-mode fiber to trigger SBS. Thanks to the SBS effect, multiple gain channels at the N wavelengths are generated. The channel profile of each channel, determined by the designed spectral shape of the pump source, is improved with a flat top and a reduced shape factor. The characteristics including the bandwidth, channel spacing, and channel profile can be controlled by adjusting the spectral shape of the pump source. A proof-of-concept experiment is performed. A microwave channelizer with a shape factor less than 2, a tunable channel bandwidth of 40, 60, or 90 MHz, and a tunable channel spacing of 50, 70, or 80 MHz, is demonstrated.