Bandwidth scalable, coherent transmitter based on the parallel synthesis of multiple spectral slices using optical arbitrary waveform generation.

We demonstrate an optical transmitter based on dynamic optical arbitrary waveform generation (OAWG) which is capable of creating high-bandwidth (THz) data waveforms in any modulation format using the parallel synthesis of multiple coherent spectral slices. As an initial demonstration, the transmitter uses only 5.5 GHz of electrical bandwidth and two 10-GHz-wide spectral slices to create 100-ns duration, 20-GHz optical waveforms in various modulation formats including differential phase-shift keying (DPSK), quaternary phase-shift keying (QPSK), and eight phase-shift keying (8PSK) with only changes in software.

Demonstration of high-fidelity dynamic optical arbitrary waveform generation.

We experimentally demonstrate a dynamic line-by-line optical arbitrary waveform generation technique capable of generating continuous and bandwidth scalable high-fidelity waveforms without update rate limitations. Two quadrature modulators are used to create up to three spectral slices that are coherently combined by a passband-shaped multiplexer into a single contiguous spectrum to form complex optical waveforms with up to 30 GHz of bandwidth and 6 ns record lengths.

Dynamic optical arbitrary waveform generation and measurement.

We introduce a dynamic optical arbitrary waveform generation (OAWG) technique that produces bandwidth scalable, continuous waveforms of near perfect fidelity. Additionally, OAWG's complement, real-time arbitrary optical waveform measurement (OAWM) is discussed. These approaches utilize gigahertz-bandwidth electronics to generate, or measure, truly arbitrary and dynamic optical waveforms scalable to terahertz bandwidths and infinite record lengths.

Modulation-format agile, reconfigurable Tb/s transmitter based on optical arbitrary waveform generation.

This paper presents the concept of an optical transmitter based on optical arbitrary waveform generation (OAWG) capable of synthesizing Tb/s optical signals of arbitrary modulation format. Experimental and theoretical demonstrations in this paper include generation of data packet waveforms focusing on (a) achieving high spectral efficiencies in quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) and 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM) modulation formats, (b) generation of complex data waveform packets used for optical-label switching (OLS) consisting of a data payload and label on a carrier and subcarrier, and (c) repeatability and accuracy of duobinary (DB) data packet waveforms with BER measurements. These initial demonstrations are based on static OAWG, or line-by-line pulse shaping, to generate repeated waveforms of arbitrary shape.

Near quantum-limited, single-shot coherent arbitrary optical waveform measurements.

Four-quadrature spectral interferometry using balanced coherent detection enables single-shot full-field characterization of complex-shaped optical waveforms with near quantum-limited sensitivity. A 90 degrees optical hybrid places a waveform in four-quadrature-phases with a stronger, well-characterized reference pulse. Measurement of the four spectra with an integrating two-dimensional detector array followed by balanced detection uniquely determines the signal field.

Compact 10 GHz loopback arrayed-waveguide grating for high-fidelity optical arbitrary waveform generation.

We demonstrate a high-performance optical arbitrary waveform shaper based on a single 10 GHz arrayed-waveguide grating with 64 loopback waveguides and integrated amplitude and phase modulators on each waveguide. The design is compact and self-aligning and allows for bidirectional operation. The device's complex transfer function is manipulated and measured over the full 640 GHz passband.

Coherent micromirror arrays.

A one-dimensional, spatial light phase modulator consists of a coherent array of programmable micromirrors. Each micromirror has rotation as well as elevation control to permit high-fidelity, piecewise linear approximations to a desired spatial phase profile. We demonstrate programmable, coherent spatial modulation by configuring a four-micromirror array to act as a blazed diffraction grating, showing five diffraction orders.