Sophie LaRochelle

Few-mode fiber with inverse-parabolic graded-index profile for transmission of OAM-carrying modes

A novel type of few-mode fiber, characterized by an inverse-parabolic graded-index profile, is proposed for the robust transmission of cylindrical vector modes as well as modes carrying quantized orbital angular momentum (OAM). Large effective index separations between vector modes (>2.1 × 10(-4)) are numerically calculated and experimentally confirmed in this fiber over the whole C-band, enabling transmission of OAM(+/-1,1) modes for distances up to 1.1 km. Simple design rules are provided for the optimization of the fiber parameters.

Wideband wavelength conversion of 16 Gbaud 16-QAM and 5 Gbaud 64-QAM signals in a semiconductor optical amplifier

We demonstrate wavelength conversion based on four-wave mixing in a semiconductor optical amplifier of signals with quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). We first demonstrate wavelength conversion of 16 Gbaud 16-QAM signals over the entire C-band using two co-polarized pumps with low power penalty at the forward error correction threshold (FEC) for a wide range of input optical-signal-to-noise-ratio (OSNR). We also demonstrate for the first time wavelength conversion of 5 Gbaud 64-QAM signals in a semiconductor optical amplifier with bit-error rate below the FEC threshold over the entire C-band and investigate the dependence of the power penalty on input OSNR with a single pump configuration.

Design of a family of ring-core fibers for OAM transmission studies

We propose a family of ring-core fibers, designed for the transmission of OAM modes, that can be fabricated by drawing five different fibers from a single preform. This novel technique allows us to experimentally sweep design parameters and speed up the fiber design optimization process. Such a family of fibers could be used to examine system performance, but also facilitate understanding of parameter impact in the transition from design to fabrication. We present design parameters characterizing our fiber, and enumerate criteria to be satisfied. We determine targeted fiber dimensions and explain our strategy for examining a design family rather than a single fiber design. We simulate modal properties of the designed fibers, and compare the results with measurements performed on fabricated fibers.

Characterization of OAM fibers using fiber Bragg gratings

The reflectogram of a fiber grating is used to characterize vector modes of an optical fiber supporting orbital angular momentum states. All modes, with a minimal effective index separation around 10(-4), are simultaneously measured. OAM states are reflected by the FBG, along with a charge inversion, at the center wavelength of the Bragg reflection peak of the corresponding fiber vector mode.

Frequency shift in a fiber laser resonator

A new model that describes the influence of a laser intracavity frequency shifter is proposed. Laser line broadening that is due to the presence of the frequency shift is derived. The theoretical model is validated by experimental results. Multiwavelength operation of this laser is explained.

Growth dynamics of photosensitive gratings in optical fibers

We study the growth dynamics of photosensitive fiber gratings assuming a local bleaching model, and demonstrate that sustained grating growth is possible. Good agreement with our experimental results is obtained after including fiber heating effects.

Dual phase-shift Bragg grating silicon photonic modulator operating up to 60 Gb/s

We demonstrate PAM-4 and OOK operation of a novel silicon photonic modulator. The modulator design is based on two phase-shifts in a Bragg Grating structure driven in a push pull configuration. Back-to-back PAM-4 modulation is demonstrated below the FEC threshold at up to 60 Gb/s. OOK modulation is also shown up to 55 Gb/s with MMSE equalization and up to 50 Gb/s without equalization. Eye diagrams and BER curves at different bit rates are provided for both PAM-4 and OOK modulations. To our knowledge, this structure is the fastest silicon photonic modulator based on Bragg gratings, reaching modulation speed comparable to the fastest Mach-Zehnder modulators and micro-ring modulators.

Photosensitive optical fibers used as vibration sensors

We experimentally demonstrate that high-reflectivity photosensitive gratings written in optical fibers can be used to detect vibrations that produce length changes of less than 50 nm. This sensitivity to external perturbations can also explain the high-frequency components often observed during the growth of these gratings.

Widely bandwidth-tunable silicon filter with an unlimited free-spectral range.

Next-generation high-capacity optical networks require flexible allocation of spectrum resources, for which low-cost optical filters with an ultra-wide bandwidth tunability beyond 100 GHz are desired. We demonstrate an integrated band-pass filter with the bandwidth continuously tuned across 670 GHz (117-788 GHz) which, to the best of our knowledge, is the widest tuning span ever demonstrated on a silicon chip. The filter also features simultaneous wavelength tuning and an unlimited free spectral range. We measured an out-of-band contrast of up to 55 dB, low in-band ripples of less than 0.3 dB, and in-band group delay variation of less than 8 ps. This result was achieved using cascaded Bragg-grating-assisted contra-directional couplers and micro-heaters on the 220 nm silicon-on-insulator platform with a very compact footprint of less than 7000  μm2. Another design with the bandwidth continuously tunable from 50 GHz to 1 THz is also presented.

Demonstration of Cladding-Pumped Six-Core Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier

We demonstrate cladding-pumped six-core Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) using two different pump coupling schemes: edge-coupled and side-coupled pumping, where a single multimode laser diode can be applied to pump all cores. Using two in-line cladding-pumped EDFAs at the input and output of a 31-km coupled-six-core fiber, we realized 465-km space-division multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing transmission in a recirculating loop and achieved a spectral efficiency of 18 bits/s/Hz. Through side-coupled pumping, the cladding-pumped six-core EDFA produced >18-dBm output power per core and had <;6-dB noise figure across the C-band.