Waveguide arrays and spectral filtering for multi-frequency mode-locked pulse sources

Edward Farnum; Brandon G. Bale; J. Nathan Kutz

doi:10.1117/12.837773

4 August 2009 Waveguide arrays and spectral filtering for multi-frequency mode-locked pulse sources

Edward Farnum, Brandon G. Bale, J. Nathan Kutz

Proceedings Volume 7386, Photonics North 2009; 73862E (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.837773
Event: Photonics North 2009, 2009, Quebec, Canada

Abstract

Current optical fiber-communication networks increasingly rely on wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technologies in conjunction with optical time-division multiplexing (OTDM) of individual WDM channels. The combination of high-repetition-rate data streams with a large number of WDM channels has pushed transmission rates to nearly 1 TB/s, creating a demand for all-optical transmission sources that can generate pico-second modelocked pulses at various wavelengths. Through nonlinear mode-coupling in a wave-guide array and a periodically applied multi-notch frequency filter, robust multi-frequency mode-locking can be achieved in a laser cavity in both the normal and anomalous dispersion regimes. We develop a theoretical description of this multiplewavelength mode-locking, and characterize the mode-locked solutions and their stability for an arbitrary number of frequency channels. The theoretical investigations demonstrate that the stability of the mode-locked pulse solutions of multiple frequency channels depends on the degree of inhomogenity in gain saturation. Specifically, only a small amount of inhomogeneous gain-broadening is needed for multi-frequency operation in the laser. In this presentation, the conditions on the system parameters necessary for generating stable mode-locking is explored for arbitrary number of frequency channels. The model suggests a promising source for multi-frequency photonic applications.

Citation Download Citation

Edward Farnum, Brandon G. Bale, and J. Nathan Kutz "Waveguide arrays and spectral filtering for multi-frequency mode-locked pulse sources", Proc. SPIE 7386, Photonics North 2009, 73862E (4 August 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.837773

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KEYWORDS

Mode locking

Optical filters

Laser resonators

Electronic filtering

Wavelength division multiplexing

Dispersion

Waveguides

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