250 MHz repetition rate monolithically integrated modulated mode-locked semiconductor laser

We present the first monolithically integrated semiconductor pulse source consisting of a mode-locked laser diode, Mach-Zehnder pulse picker, and semiconductor optical amplifier. Pairs of 5.6 ps pulses are generated at a 250 MHz repetition rate. © 2012 OSA.

Monolithically integrated laser diode and electroabsorption modulator with dual-waveguide spot-size converter input and output

We have demonstrated a 1.60 mu m ridge-structure laser diode and electroabsorption modulator monolithically integrated with buried-ridge-structure dual-waveguide spot-size converters at the input and output ports for low-loss coupling to a cleaved single-mode optical fibre by means of selective area growth and asymmetric twin waveguide technologies. The devices emit in single transverse and quasi-single longitudinal modes with a side mode suppression ratio of 25.6 dB. These devices exhibit 3 dB modulation bandwidth of 15.0 GHz and modulator extinction ratios of 14.0 dB dc. The output beam divergence angles of the spot-size converter in the horizontal and vertical directions are as small as 7.3 degrees x 10.6 degrees, respectively, resulting in 3.0 dB coupling loss with a cleaved single-mode optical fibre.

1.55 mu m spot-size converter with monolithically integrated laser diode by conventional process

A novel 1.55 mum laser diode (LD) with monolithically integrated spot-size converter (SSC) is designed and fabricated using conventional photolithography and the chemical wet etching process. For the laser diode, a ridge double-core structure is employed. For the spot-size converter, a buried double-waveguide structure is incorporated. The laterally tapered active core is designed and optically combined with the thin passive core to control the size of the mode. The threshold current was measured to be 40 mA together with high slope efficiency of 0.35 W A(-1). The beam divergence angles in the horizontal and vertical directions were as small as 14.9degrees and 18.2degrees, respectively.

Ridge waveguide laser integrated with spot-size converter in a single step epitaxial for high coupling efficiency to single-mode fibres

A 1.55-mum laser diode integrated with a spot-size converter was fabricated in a single step epitaxial by using the conventional photolithography and chemical wet etching process. The device was constructed by a conventional ridge waveguide active layer and a larger passive ridge-waveguide layer. The threshold current was 40 mA together with high slope efficiency of 0.24 W/A. The beam divergence angles in the horizontal and vertical directions were as small as 12.0degrees x 15.0degrees, respectively, resulting in about 3.2-dB coupling losses with a cleaved optical fibre.

40-GHz wavelength tunable mode-locked SOA-based fiber laser with 40-nm tuning range

A 40-GHz wavelength tunable mode-locked fiber ring laser based oil cross-gain modulation in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is presented. Pulse trains with a pulse width of 10.5 ps at 40-GHz repetition frequency are obtained. The laser operates with almost 40-nm tuning range. The relationship between the key laser parameters and the output pulse characteristics is analyzed experimentally.

SOA-based actively mode-locked fiber ring laser by forward injecting an external pulse train

An actively mode-locked fiber ring laser based on cross-gain modulation (XGM) in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is demonstrated to operate stably with a simple configuration. By forward injecting an easily-generated external pulse train, the mode-locked fiber laser can generate an optical-pulse sequence with pulsewidth about 6 ps and average output power about 7.9 mW. The output pulses show an ultra-low RMS jitter about 70.7 fs measured by a RF spectrum analyzer. The use of the proposed forward-injection configuration can realize the repetition-rate tunability from I to 15 GHz for the generated optical-pulse sequences. By employing a wavelength-tunable optical band-pass filter in the laser cavity, the operation wavelength of the designed SOA-based actively mode-locked fiber laser can be tuned continuously in a wide span between 1528 and 1565 nm. The parameters of external-injection optical pulses are studied experimentally to optimize the mode-locked fiber laser. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Amplified optomechanics in a unidirectional ring cavity

We investigate optomechanical forces on a nearly lossless scatterer, such as an atom pumped far off-resonance or amicromirror, inside an optical ring cavity. Our model introduces two additional features to the cavity: an isolator is used to prevent circulation and resonant enhancement of the pump laser field and thus to avoid saturation of or damage to the scatterer, and an optical amplifier is used to enhance the effective Q-factor of the counterpropagating mode and thus to increase the velocity-dependent forces by amplifying the back-scattered light. We calculate friction forces, momentum diffusion, and steady-state temperatures to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed setup.

Characterization of RSOA modulators in radio over fiber links

In this work physical and behavioral models for a bulk Reflective Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (RSOA) modulator in Radio over Fiber (RoF) links are proposed. The transmission performance of the RSOA modulator is predicted under broadband signal drive. At first, the simplified physical model for the RSOA modulator in RoF links is proposed, which is based on the rate equation and traveling-wave equations with several assumptions. The model is implemented with the Symbolically Defined Devices (SDD) in Advanced Design System (ADS) and validated with experimental results. Detailed analysis regarding optical gain, harmonic and intermodulation distortions, and transmission performance is performed. The distribution of the carrier and Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) is also demonstrated. Behavioral modeling of the RSOA modulator is to enable us to investigate the nonlinear distortion of the RSOA modulator from another perspective in system level. The Amplitude-to-Amplitude Conversion (AM-AM) and Amplitude-to-Phase Conversion (AM-PM) distortions of the RSOA modulator are demonstrated based on an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and a generalized polynomial model. Another behavioral model based on Xparameters was obtained from the physical model. Compensation of the nonlinearity of the RSOA modulator is carried out based on a memory polynomial model. The nonlinear distortion of the RSOA modulator is reduced successfully. The improvement of the 3rd order intermodulation distortion is up to 17 dB. The Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) is improved from 6.1% to 2.0%. In the last part of this work, the performance of Fibre Optic Networks for Distributed and Extendible Heterogeneous Radio Architectures and Service Provisioning (FUTON) systems, which is the four-channel virtual Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), is predicted by using the developed physical model. Based on Subcarrier Multiplexing (SCM) techniques, four-channel signals with 100 MHz bandwidth per channel are generated and used to drive the RSOA modulator. The transmission performance of the RSOA modulator under the broadband multi channels is depicted with the figure of merit, EVM under di erent adrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) level of 64 and 254 for various number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers of 64, 512, 1024 and 2048.

Análise de sistemas de comunicação óptica com multiplexagem de subportadora e transmissão em banda lateral única

Tese dout., Engenharia Electrónica e Computação, Universidade do Algarve, 2005

Absorptionsspektrometrie in der Kavität eines Halbleiterlasers unter Ausnutzung der Modenkonkurrenz zwischen zwei Moden

Motivation dieser Arbeit ist die Idee, ein höchst sensitives und selektives Spektroskop, welches gleichzeitig robust ist, auf Basis von Halbleiterlasern zum Einsatz in der Atemgasdiagnostik zu entwickeln. Technische Grundlage ist die Idee, die Probe innerhalb des Laserresonators zu vermessen (sogenannte intra cavity absorption spectroscopy, ICAS). Im speziellen soll durch die Verwendung des relativen Intensitätsrauschens zur Messwertbestimmung und die Verwendung von nur zwei Moden statt der sonst für ICAS verwendeten multimodigen Laser, die Empfindlichkeit erhöht, sowie die Messwerterfassung vereinfacht werden. Die Probe im Laserresonator zu Messen, hat den Vorteil, dass durch die multiple Hin­ und Rückreflektion die wirksame Pfadlänge durch die Probe vervielfacht wird. Dabei werden Verluste an den Resonatorspiegeln durch die Verstärkung der aktiven Zone des Lasers kompensiert. Außerdem wird durch die Konkurrenz der Moden um die idealerweise homogen verbreiterte Verstärkung im Laser die Empfindlichkeit noch einmal bedeutend erhöht. Schon eine geringe Absorption bei einer bestimmten Wellenlänge wird die Intensität des betroffenen Modes zugunsten der anderen Moden verringern. Die Arbeit beschäftigt sich zum einen mit der spektroskopischen Untersuchung zwei- er für die Atemgasdiagnostik relevanter Stoffe, Aceton und das in der Anästhesie häufig eingesetzte Propofol, um das Umfeld, in dem der Laser Verwendung finden soll, zu beleuchten. Diese Untersuchungen flossen in die Entwicklung des später zum Sensor auszubauenden Lasers ein. Für den Laser wurden in der Telekommunikation übliche, glasfaserbasierte, robuste Standardbauteile wie ein optischer Halbleiterverstärker (semiconductor optical amplifier, SOA), Faserkoppler und Faser­Bragg­Gitter verwendet. Die Bauteile wurden charakterisiert. Teilaspekte des Aufbaus wurden mit der Software CAMFR simuliert. Schließlich wurde der Laser als solcher aufgebaut und charakterisiert. Das Ziel der Zweimodigkeit, in einem Intervall von 2 nm durchstimmbar, konnte erreicht werden. An einem vom Heinrich­Hertz­Institut in Berlin entwickelten zweimodigen Halbleiterlasers wurden Untersuchungen der Idee zur Vereinfachung der Messwerterfassung mittels relativen Intensitätsrauschens (relative intensity noise, RIN) durchgeführt. Als Messgröße stellt das RIN die Amplituden der Intensitätsschwankungen des Lasers gegen die Frequenzen der Intensitätsschwankungen als Rauschspektrum dar. Es konnte nachgewiesen werden, dass das Rauschspektrum charakteristisch für das Oszillationsverhalten des Lasers ist.

Tm and Tm-Tb-doped germanate glasses for S-band amplifiers

The mechanism involved in the Tm(3+)((3)F(4)) -> Tb(3+)((7)F(0,1,2)) energy transfer as a function of the Tb concentration was investigated in Tm:Tb-doped germanate (GLKZ) glass. The experimental transfer rate was determined from the best fit of the (3)F(4) luminescence decay due to the Tm -> Tb energy transfer using the Burshtein model. The result showed that the 1700 nm emission from (3)F(4) can be completely quenched by 0.8 mol% of Tb(3+). As a consequence, the (7)F(3) state of Tb(3+) interacts with the (3)H(4) upper excited state of TM(3+) slighting decreasing its population. The effective amplification coefficient beta(cm(-1)) that depends on the population density difference Delta n = n((3)H(4))-n((3)F(4)) involved in the optical transition of Tm(3+) (S-band) was calculated by solving the rate equations of the system for continuous pumping with laser at 792 nm, using the Runge-Kutta numerical method including terms of fourth order. The population density inversion An as a function of Tb(3+) concentration was calculated by computational simulation for three pumping intensities, 0.2, 2.2 and 4.4 kWcm(-2). These calculations were performed using the experimental Tm -> Tb transfer rates and the optical constants of the Tm (0.1 mol%) system. It was demonstrated that 0.2 mol% of Tb(3+) propitiates best population density inversion of Tin(3+) maximizing the amplification coefficient of Tm-doped (0.1 mol%) GLKZ glass when operating as laser intensity amplification at 1.47 mu m. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Expansão da capacidade de transmissão de sistemas ópticos através da tecnologia WDM: um estudo de caso sobre o sistema da Eletronorte

Esta dissertação de mestrado apresenta dois projetos, sendo um referente ao sistema Tramo Oeste, e o outro ao sistema Pará – Maranhão; relacionado ao trecho Marabá – Santa Maria, com bombeamento remoto e amplificação Raman. A dissertação trata da expansão da capacidade de transmissão do sistema óptico da Eletronorte, no Tramo Oeste. Atualmente, esse sistema opera à taxa STM1 (155 Mb/s). Também é usada uma nova tecnologia para eliminação de estações repetidoras, através do bombeamento remoto. Essa técnica se fundamenta no uso de amplificadores ópticos bombeados remotamente, por meio das fibras ópticas do cabo OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) já instaladas no sistema.Esses amplificadores ópticos são constituídos somente por componentes passivos; e, além disso, podem ser acomodados em caixas de emendas ópticas; as quais são fixadas nas torres das linhas de transmissão do sistema, ao longo do enlace; sendo que as fontes ópticas para a realização do bombeamento remoto são localizadas e alimentadas nas próprias subestações terminais. A simulação dos sistemas é através de um software comercial de simulação Optisystem 4.1™. Esta dissertação propõe mudanças nos sistemas ópticos para aumentar a capacidade de transmissão por WDM; bombeamento remoto para estações sem repetição, e uso de amplificação Raman. Aborda-se ainda, a concepção de um backbone óptico DWDM, que é um convênio de cooperação técnica entre a Eletronorte e o Governo do Estado do Pará; e os resultados das simulações desse backbone óptico. É feita uma análise crítica comparativa deste, com os projetos dos sistemas ópticos do Tramo Oeste e do sistema Pará – Maranhão; referente ao trecho Marabá – Santa Maria.

Linewidth influence in photonics logic device

Photonics logic devices are currently finding applications in most of the fields where optical signals are employed. These areas range from optical communications to optical computing, covering as well as other applications in photonics sensing and metrology. Most of the proposed configurations with photonics logic devices are based on semiconductor laser structures with “on/off” behaviors, operating in an optical amplifier configuration. They are able to offer non-linear gain or bistable operation, being these properties the basis for their applications in these fields. Moreover, their large number of potential affecting parameters onto their behavior offers the possibility to choose the best solution for each case.

UWB Monocycle Generator based on the non-linear effects of an SOA-integrated structure

In this letter, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel and single structure to generate ultra-wideband (UWB) pulses by means of the cross-phase modulation present in a semiconductor optical amplifier unified structure. The key components of this system is an integrated Mach-Zehnder interferometer with two semiconductor optical amplifiers and an optical processing unit. The fusion of these two components permits the generation and customization of UWB monocycle pulses. The polarity of the output pulses is easily modified through the single selection of a specific input port. Moreover, the capacity of transmitting several data sequences is demonstrated and the potentiality to adapt the system to different modulation formats is analyzed.

Resonant cavity Fibre Bragg grating sensor interrogation

This thesis presents a novel high-performance approach to time-division-multiplexing (TDM) fibre Bragg grating (FBG) optical sensors, known as the resonant cavity architecture. A background theory of FBG optical sensing includes several techniques for multiplexing sensors. The limitations of current wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) schemes are contrasted against the technological and commercial advantage of TDM. The author’s hypothesis that ‘it should be possible to achieve TDM FBG sensor interrogation using an electrically switched semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)’ is then explained. Research and development of a commercially viable optical sensor interrogator based on the resonant cavity architecture forms the remainder of this thesis. A fully programmable SOA drive system allows interrogation of sensor arrays 10km long with a spatial resolution of 8cm and a variable gain system provides dynamic compensation for fluctuating system losses. Ratiometric filter- and diffractive-element spectrometer-based wavelength measurement systems are developed and analysed for different commercial applications. The ratiometric design provides a low-cost solution that has picometre resolution and low noise using 4% reflective sensors, but is less tolerant to variation in system loss. The spectrometer design is more expensive, but delivers exceptional performance with picometre resolution, low noise and tolerance to 13dB system loss variation. Finally, this thesis details the interrogator’s peripheral components, its compliance for operation in harsh industrial environments and several examples of commercial applications where it has been deployed. Applications include laboratory instruments, temperature monitoring systems for oil production, dynamic control for wind-energy and battery powered, self-contained sub-sea strain monitoring.