Widely-tunable parametric short-wave infrared transmitter for CO2 trace detection.

An all-fiber, tunable, short-wave infrared transmitter is demonstrated using efficient four-wave mixing in conventional L and O bands. To realize this source a highly-nonlinear fiber, exhibiting low bend loss over the short-wave infrared spectral band, is employed because of its advantageous properties as a nonlinear mixing medium. The transmitter was subsequently exploited to probe and detect trace levels of carbon dioxide in the 2051-nm spectral region where its beam properties, tunability, narrow linewidth, and stability all coalesce to permit this application.

Noise-induced nonlinear frequency chirping in χ(3) nonlinear media.

We theoretically and experimentally analyze the dominant impairment mechanisms affecting the fidelity of optical phase in parametric amplifiers and converters in media characterized by third-order (Kerr) optical nonlinearity. The critical role of narrow-band pump filtering in parametric mixers is quantified with respect to frequency stability of amplified and converted waves. The analysis is generally applicable to all four-photon devices used to generate new frequencies or translate spectral bands.

Phase noise in fiber-optic parametric amplifiers and converters and its impact on sensing and communication systems.

We present a theoretical analysis describing the spectral dependence of phase noise in one-pump fiber parametric amplifiers and converters. The analytical theory is experimentally validated and found to have high predictive accuracy. The implications related to phase-coded sensing and communications systems are discussed.

1.56-micros continuously tunable parametric delay line for a 40-Gb/s signal.

Experimental demonstration of an all-fiber, all-optical continuously tunable delay line is reported. The 1.56-micros delay with a record 62,400 time-delay bit-rate product was characterized for a 40-Gbps data channel.