Renyong Tang

Gain characteristics of a frequency nondegenerate phase-sensitive fiber-optic parametric amplifier with phase self-stabilized input.

We experimentally demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, a phase-sensitive amplifier based on frequency nondegenerate parametric amplification in optical fiber, where the input signal-idler pair is prepared all-optically. Using two fiber-optic parametric amplifier sections separated by a fiber-based wavelength-dependent phase shifter, we observe and investigate phase-sensitive gain profile in the 1550 nm region both experimentally and theoretically. The realized scheme automatically generates gain-defining phase that is environmentally stable, making it advantageous for building phase-sensitive transmission links.

Ultralow timing jitter 40-Gb/s clock recovery using a self-starting optoelectronic oscillator

We demonstrate clock recovery with ultralow timing jitter by using a novel self-starting optoelectronic oscillator that is based on an electroabsorption modulator in a fiber extended cavity. The oscillator simultaneously generates a 10-GHz-rate microwave signal and a train of 15-ps optical pulses with /spl sim/40-fs timing jitter in the 100-Hz to 1-MHz range. Under direct optical-injection locking of the oscillator, we demonstrate simultaneous error-free extraction of both the electrical and the optical clocks of 10-GHz rate from either a single-channel 10-Gb/s return-to-zero data stream or a four-channel 40-Gb/s optical time-division-multiplexed data stream.

Self-starting optoelectronic oscillator for generating ultra-low-jitter high-rate (10GHz or higher) optical pulses

We demonstrate a novel, self-starting optoelectronic oscillator based on an electro-absorption modulator in a fiber-extended cavity for generating an optical pulse stream with high-rate and ultra-low jitter capabilities. Optical pulses at 10GHz repetition rate are demonstrated with >90dBc/Hz side-mode suppression and the lowest timing jitter (42fs in the 100Hz-1MHz range) reported to date for a self-starting source. Along with the optical pulse stream, the oscillator also generates a 10GHz electrical signal with ultra-low phase noise.

Highly efficient multichannel wavelength conversion of DPSK signals

This paper demonstrates a multichannel wavelength conversion of differential phase-shift-keyed (DPSK) signals using four-wave mixing in a highly nonlinear fiber. The wavelengths of three 10-Gb/s nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) DPSK channels are simultaneously converted without incurring the cross-gain modulation penalty usually associated with on-off-keyed signals. A maximum conversion efficiency of 85% was achieved for both NRZ and return-to-zero DPSK signals

A microstructure-fiber-based 10-GHz synchronized tunable optical parametric oscillator in the 1550-nm regime

We demonstrate a microstructure-fiber (MF)-based supercontinuum source and a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator in the 1550-nm regime. By using a 12.5-m-long MF, we obtained a 10-GHz repetition-rate picosecond-pulse source that is capable of /spl sim/120-nm wavelength tunability due to the wide-gain bandwidth of the combined processes of stimulated Raman scattering and parametric four-wave mixing.

Noise-figure limit of fiber-optical parametric amplifiers and wavelength converters: experimental investigation

Recent theoretical work predicts that the quantum-limited noise figure of a x(3)-based fiber-optical parametric amplifier operating as a phase-insensitive in-line amplifier or as a wavelength converter exceeds the standard 3-dB limit at high gain. The degradation of the noise figure is caused by the excess noise added by the unavoidable Raman gain and loss occurring at the signal and the converted wavelengths. We present detailed experimental evidence in support of this theory through measurements of the gain and noise-figure spectra for phase-insensitive parametric amplification and wavelength conversion in a continuous-wave amplifier made from 4.4 km of dispersion-shifted fiber. The theory is also extended to include the effect of distributed linear loss on the noise figure of such a long-length parametric amplifier and wavelength converter.

In-line phase-sensitive amplification of multi-channel CW signals based on frequency nondegenerate four-wave-mixing in fiber

We demonstrate phase-sensitive amplification of multiple wavelength-division-multiplexed continuous-wave (CW) signals by frequency nondegenerate four-wave-mixing process in optical fiber. By fine-tuning the optical wavelengths of the CW signals, simultaneous phase-sensitive in-line amplification of three signal channels is realized. This indicates the possibility of amplifying multiple data channels by an in-line phase-sensitive fiber parametric amplifier. We also discuss a potential system architecture employing such amplifiers.

Measurement of the photon statistics and the noise figure of a fiber-optic parametric amplifier

We report measurement of the noise statistics of spontaneous parametric fluorescence in a fiber parametric amplifier with single-mode, single-photon resolution. We employ optical homodyne tomography for this purpose, which also provides a self-calibrating measurement of the noise figure of the amplifier. The measured photon statistics agree with quantum-mechanical predictions, and the amplifiers noise figure is found to be almost quantum limited.

In-line frequency-nondegenerate phase-sensitive fiber-optical parametric amplifier

We demonstrate a phase-sensitive fiber-optical parametric amplifier based on frequency-nondegenerate four-wave mixing in the telecom band. An input signal is phase-sensitively amplified and the measured gain response complies well with the theory. Efficient phase-sensitive amplification can be achieved even after transmitting an optical double-sideband signal over 25 km of single-mode fiber.

10-GHz dispersion-managed soliton fiber-optical parametric oscillator using regenerative mode locking.

We demonstrate a regeneratively mode-locked fiber-optical parametric oscillator that utilizes intracavity dispersion compensation to generate pulses at a 10-GHz repetition rate in both soliton and nonsoliton regimes. At the threshold pump power the generated pulses are close to fundamental solitons. At higher pump powers we found a significant deviation of the pulses from the sech2 shape. In addition, the use of an ultralow-jitter self-starting pump-pulse source in a regenerative feedback loop allows for a significant reduction of the signals timing jitter and amplitude noise.