Abstract:
Method and apparatus for real time measuring of an optical signal to noise ration (OSNR) of an optical channel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a fiber Bragg grating for reflecting a signal component of the optical channel and for transmitting a noise component of the optical channel therethrough. Two photodetectors are provided disposed at two ends of the fiber Bragg grating for detecting a fraction of the reflected signal component and the transmitted noise component respectively. Electrical outputs of the photodetectors are communicated to a microprocessor for determining the OSNR. The invention provides a simple, compact, reliable, relatively fast and inexpensive technique to monitor OSNR.
Abstract:
An integrated optical dynamic channel equalizer that can be employed to equalize the channel gain level in a WDM transmission line and monitor the optical channel performance. The device consists of a circulator, a dynamic gain equalizer chip and a controller. Due to the simplicity of the dynamic gain equalizer chip, which includes one 1×n multiplexer/demultiplexer, an n-channel variable optical attenuator array (VOA-n), a partially transparent dielectric reflective means and an n-channel detector array, the device is very compact and can be fabricated at low cost. By placing a quarter wave plate between the n-channel variable optical attenuator array and the partially transparent reflective means in the dynamic channel equalizer chip, the device can be rendered polarization insensitive.
Abstract:
A switchable dynamic gain-flattened optical amplifier with wide adjustable gain range is provided. Optical signals are amplified through common amplification such that the gain is approximately common to all optical signals. Further, gain specific amplification is then achieved through distinct amplification wherein the optical signal is routed through one of N parallel amplification paths each having its well-designed gain. The amplifier makes use of a control circuit to self-adjust quickly and respond to changes in input conditions, operating conditions of the optical amplifier and gain requirements while maintaining gain flatness and a low noise figure (NF) over a broad optical bandwidth and a wide range of gain levels. The optical amplifier is highly desirable in dense wavelength-division-multiplexed (DWDM) systems for responding to changes in operating conditions due to link loss, pump deterioration, channel add/drop, and network reconfigurations.
Abstract:
A multi-band (multi-color) multiwavelength mode locked laser diode is provided by dynamic phase compensation of a quantum dot active medium. The laser diode is provided with a PIN diode structure where the active medium consists of a plurality of layers of quantum dots such as those produced by self-assembly from known chemical beam epitaxy methods. The multiplicity of bands may be produced by AC Stark splitting, frequency selective attenuation, or by the inclusion of multiple different layers having different, respective, peak ASE emissions. Dispersion compensation within laser facets, waveguides, and the optically active media permit the selection of a fixed dispersion within the cavity. A dynamic group phase change induced by the AC Stark effect permits compensation of the fixed dispersion sufficiently to produce an intraband mode-locked laser. Even interband mode locking was observed.
Abstract:
A compact interrogator for the simultaneous interrogation of multi wavelength-modulated fiber optical sensors, includes a planar waveguide based demultiplexer receiving input signals from the sensors. An array of detectors is coupled to output waveguides of the demultiplexer corresponding to different nominal wavelengths. A tuning element matches the nominal wavelengths of the output waveguide to the input signals from the respective sensors to find the wavelengths of the individual sensors to be interrogated.
Abstract:
A multi-band (multi-colour) multiwavelength mode locked laser diode is provided by dynamic phase compensation of a quantum dot active medium. The laser diode is provided with a PIN diode structure where the active medium consists of a plurality of layers of quantum dots such as those produced by self-assembly from known chemical beam epitaxy methods. The multiplicity of bands may be produced by AC Stark splitting, frequency selective attenuation, or by the inclusion of multiple different layers having different, respective, peak ASE emissions. Dispersion compensation within laser facets, waveguides, and the optically active media permit the selection of a fixed dispersion within the cavity. A dynamic group phase change induced by the AC Stark effect permits compensation of the fixed dispersion sufficiently to produce an intraband mode-locked laser. Even interband mode locking was observed.
Abstract:
Polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) of an optical device, i.e. fiber or component is effected by launching a first pump laser beam of a fixed wavelength, a probe laser beam with a second fixed wavelength and a second pump laser beam having a variable wavelength and a polarization direction orthogonal to the other two beams into an optical device to generate three output signals which are input into a semiconductor optical amplifier to generate four-wave mixing (FWM) products. The average PMD of the device is computed by measuring the power of the FWM products versus the wavelength of the second pump laser beam.
Abstract:
Methods and devices for providing a multiwavelength laser which may be used for multicasting and other optical communications uses. The present invention provides a quantum dot based multiwavelength laser with a monolithic gain block. The Fabry-Perot gain block has both upper and lower InP cladding layers. The laser system has a middle quantum dot layer with multiple stacked layers of InAs quantum dots embedded in InGaAsP. When provided with a CW injection current, the laser system produces an output spectra with equally spaced multiple emission peaks. With an input optical data signal applied to the laser system, the laser system duplicates the data in the input signal across multiple different wavelengths.
Abstract:
Methods and devices for providing a multiwavelength laser which may be used for multicasting and other optical communications uses. The present invention provides a quantum dot based multiwavelength laser with a monolithic gain block. The Fabry-Perot gain block has both upper and lower InP cladding layers. The laser system has a middle quantum dot layer with multiple stacked layers of InAs quantum dots embedded in InGaAsP. When provided with a CW injection current, the laser system produces an output spectra with equally spaced multiple emission peaks. With an input optical data signal applied to the laser system, the laser system duplicates the data in the input signal across multiple different wavelengths.
Abstract:
A compact interrogator for the simultaneous interrogation of multi wavelength-modulated fiber optical sensors, includes a planar waveguide based demultiplexer receiving input signals from the sensors. An array of detectors is coupled to output waveguides of the demultiplexer corresponding to different nominal wavelengths. A tuning element matches the nominal wavelengths of the output waveguide to the input signals from the respective sensors to find the wavelengths of the individual sensors to be interrogated.