Supercontinuum generation of highly nonlinear fibers pumped by 1.57-μm laser soliton

Highly nonlinear fibers(HNLFs) are crucial components for supercontinuum(SC) generation with laser solution.However, it is difficult to exactly estimate the structure of produced SC according to material parameters. To give a guideline for choosing and using HNLFs for erbium-fiber-based optical applications, we demonstrate SC generation in five types of HNLFs pumped by 1.57-μm laser solitons. All five fibers output a SC exceeding 1000 nm. Three different SC formation processes were observed in the experiment. By comparing optical parameters of these fibers, we find the zero dispersion wavelength(ZDW) of fiber has an important influence on the SC structure and energy distribution for a given pump source.

Cascaded four-wave mixing all-optical wavelength converter based on highly nonlinear fiber deposited graphene oxide

The all-optical wavelength conversion using cascaded four-wave mixing(FWM)phenomena with graphene oxide(GO)and a highly nonlinear fiber(HNLF)device is demonstrated experimentally.GO has a strong third-order nonlinear effect and is an excellent nonlinear optical material for nonlinear optical wavelength conversion.The group velocity matching of pump and signal,HNLF,and GO amplification promote the cascaded nonlinear frequency mixing process.From the experimental and analytical results,the maximum spacing between signal and pump is 21 nm,and specifically,the order of cascaded FWM light increases from order 1 to order 2 with increasing GO,and the first-order FWM conversion effi-ciency increases to a maximum of−14.5 dB.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first time that cascaded FWM-based all-optical wavelength conversion in HNLF-GO with wide wavelength selectivity is investigated with combined pump and signal light.Our findings not only provide an effective method for achieving all-optical wavelength conversion in cascaded FWM but also offer the possibility of fabricating high-performance nonlinear optical devices.

Toward high-power nonlinear fiber amplifier

Stimulated Raman scattering （SRS） effect is considered to be one of the main obstacles for power scaling in general-type fber lasers. Different from previous techniques that aim at suppressing SRS, nonlinear fiber amplifier （NFA）, which manipulates and employs the SRS for power scaling in rare-earth-doped fiber, is under intensive research in recent years. In this paper, the authors will present an all-round study on this new kind of high-power fiber amplifier. A theoretical model is proposed based on the rate equation and amplified spontaneous emission （ASE）, with random noise taken into account. By numerical solving of the theoretical model, the power scaling potential, heat analysis and advantages in suppressing the undesired backscattering light are quantificationally analyzed for the first time. Then two different types of high-power NFAs are demonstrated individually. Firstly, a laser diode pumped NFA has reached kilowatt output power, and the results agree well with theoretical predictions. Secondly, a tandem-pumped NFA is proposed for the first time and validated experimentally, in which 1.5 kW output power has been achieved. The authors also briefly discuss several new issues relating to the complex nonlinear dynamics that occur in high-power NFAs, which might be interesting topics for future endeavors.

Competition mechanism of multiple four-wave mixing in highly nonlinear fiber： spatial instability and satellite characteristics

Competition mechanism in multiple four-wave mixing （MFWM） processes is demonstrated theoretically. Provided considering only two waves injected into a highly nonlinear fiber （HNLF）, there are three modes displaying comprehensive dynamic behaviors, such as fixed points, periodic motion, and chaotic motion. Especially, Mode C of MFWM is emphasized by analyzing its phase-space trajectory to demonstrate nonlinear wave- wave interactions. The study shows that, when the phase- space trajectory approaches or gets through a saddle point, a dramatic power depletion for the injected wave can be realized, with the representative point moving chaotically, but when phase-space trajectories are distributed around a center point, the power for the injected wave is retained almost invariable, with the representative point moving periodically. Finally, the evolvement of satellite wave over an optical fiber is investigated by comparing it with the interference pattern in Young＇s double-slit experiment.

Canonical logic units using bidirectional four-wave mixing in highly nonlinear fiber

All-optical canonical logic units at 40 Gb/s using bidirectional four-wave mixing(FWM) in highly nonlinear fiber are proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Clear temporal waveforms and correct pattern streams are successfully observed in the experiment. This scheme can reduce the amount of nonlinear devices and enlarge the computing capacity compared with general ones. The numerical simulations are made to analyze the relationship between the FWM efficiency and the position of two interactional signals.

Influence of Waveguide Properties on Wave Prototypes Likely to Accompany the Dynamics of Four-Wave Mixing in Optical Fibers

In this article, we study the impacts of nonlinearity and dispersion on signals likely to propagate in the context of the dynamics of four-wave mixing. Thus, we use an indirect resolution technique based on the use of the iB-function to first decouple the nonlinear partial differential equations that govern the propagation dynamics in this case, and subsequently solve them to propose some prototype solutions. These analytical solutions have been obtained;we check the impact of nonlinearity and dispersion. The interest of this work lies not only in the resolution of the partial differential equations that govern the dynamics of wave propagation in this case since these equations not at all easy to integrate analytically and their analytical solutions are very rare, in other words, we propose analytically the solutions of the nonlinear coupled partial differential equations which govern the dynamics of four-wave mixing in optical fibers. Beyond the physical interest of this work, there is also an appreciable mathematical interest.

MoS_2 saturable absorber prepared by chemical vapor deposition method for nonlinear control in Q-switching fiber laser

Due to the remarkable carrier mobility and nonlinear characteristic, MoS2 is considered to be a powerful competitor as an effective optical modulated material in fiber lasers. In this paper, the MoS2 films are prepared by the chemical vapor deposition method to guarantee the high quality of the crystal lattice and uniform thickness. The transfer of the films to microfiber and the operation of gold plated films ensure there is no heat-resistant damage and anti-oxidation. The modulation depth of the prepared integrated microfiber-MoS2 saturable absorber is 11.07%. When the microfiber-MoS2 saturable absorber is used as a light modulator in the Q-switching fiber laser, the stable pulse train with a pulse duration of 888 ns at 1530.9 nm is obtained. The ultimate output power and pulse energy of output pulses are 18.8 mW and 88 nJ, respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio up to 60 dB indicates the good stability of the laser. This work demonstrates that the MoS2 saturable absorber prepared by the chemical vapor deposition method can serve as an effective nonlinear control device for the Q-switching fiber laser.

New High Nonlinear and Dispersion Flattened Photonic Crystal Fiber

A new high nonlinear dispersion flattened photonic crystal fiber is proposed. This fiber has three-fold symmetry core. The doped region in the core and the big air-holes in the 1-st ring can make high nonlinearity in the PCF. And the small air-holes in the 1-st ring and the radial increasing diameters air-holes rings in cladding can be used to turn the dispersion properties of the PCF. We can achieve the optimized optical properties by carefully selecting the PCF's structure parameters. A PCF with flattened dispersion is obtained. The dispersion is within ±0.8 ps·nm-1·km-1 from 1.50 μm to 1.62 μm. The nonlinear coefficient is about 12.645 6 W-1·km-1, the fundamental mode area is about 10.257 9 μm2 and the birefringence is about 3.086 96×10-5 at 1.55 μm. This work may be useful for effective design and fabrication of dispersion flattened photonic crystal with high nonlinearities.

Design of photonic crystal fiber with elliptical air-holes to achieve simultaneous high birefringence and nonlinearity

A new type of V-shaped photonic crystal fiber with elliptical air-holes is proposed to realize simultaneous high bire- fringence and nonlinearity at a wavelength of 1.55 μm. The full vector finite element method was adopted to investigate its characteristics, including birefringence, nonlinearity, and dispersion. The PCF exhibited a very high birefringence of 2.89x10-2 and very high nonlinear coefficient of 102.69 W-1 .km 1. In particular, there were two zero-dispersion wave- lengths （ZDWs） in the visible （X： 640-720 nm and Y： 730-760 nm） and near-infrared regions （X： 1050-1606 nm and Y： 850-1500 nm）. The combination of high birefringence and nonlinearity allowed the PCF to maintain the polarization state and generate a broadband super continuum, with potential applications in nonlinear optics.

Dispersive Nonlinearity in Er-Doped Optical Fiber

Optical dispersive nonlinearities in Er-doped optical fiber are discussed and measured at the third window wavelength 1.55 μm for optical communications firstly. The experimental method, which is developed by us, is based on dynamic scanning for fixed-point-interference (DSFPI) of two fiber beams. The real part and complex value of the third-order susceptibility at the wavelength are also obtained from the measured Kerr coefficient and nonlinear-absorption coefficient reported elsewhere.

Impacts of operational parameters on nonlinear polarization rotation-based passively mode-locked fiber laser

The operational parameters including the polarization controlling and the pump power in a nonlinear polarization rotation-based passively mode-locked fiber laser are studied in this paper.The carrier rate equations of the activated erbium-doped fiber are first employed together with the nonlinear Shro¨dinger equations to reveal the relation between the operational parameters and the output state of the passively mode-locked fiber laser.The numerical and experimental results demonstrate that the output state of the mode-locked laser varies with the polarization controlling and the pump power.The periodicity of the polarization controlling is observed.With given pump power,there exists a set of polarization controlling under which the ultra-short pulse can be generated.With given polarization controlling,the mode-locked state can be maintained generally except for some particular values of pump power.Three shapes of the output optical spectra from the fiber cavity can be identified when the pump power changes.The results in this paper provide a comprehensive insight into the operation of the nonlinear polarization rotation-based passively mode-locked fiber laser.

Pulse Propagation with Self-Phase Modulation in Nonlinear Chiral Fiber and Its Applications

From Maxwell＇s equations and Post＇s formalism, a generalized chiral nonlinear Schr6dinger equation （CNLSE） is obtained for the nonlinear chiral fiber. This equation governs light transmission through a dispersive nonlinear chiral fiber with joint action of chirality in linear and nonlinear ways. The generalized CNLSE shows a modu- lation of chirality to the effect of attenuation and nonlinearity compared with the case for a conventional fiber. Simulations based on the split-step beam propagation method reveal the role of nonlinearity with cooperation to chirality playing in the pulse evolution. By adjusting its strength the role of chirality in forming solitons is demonstrated for a given circularly polarized component. The application of nonlinear optical rotation is also discussed in an all-optical switch.

A Nonlinear Mirror Structure to Improve the Performance of the Distributed Fiber Temperature Sensor Based on Raman Backscattering

A novel nonlinear mirror structure which can increase the optical signal-to-noise ratio of a distributed fiber Raman temperature sensor is proposed, and 6 dB improvement of the optical signal-to-noise ratio is obtained. With the assistance of the nonlinear mirror, we demonstrate that the spatial resolution of the sensor is improved from 3 m to 1 m, and the temperature accuracy is improved from ±0.6℃ to ±0.2℃. The theoretical analysis and the experimental data are in good agreement.

Influence of Laser Phase Noise on Nonlinear Optical Fiber Transmission System

he influence of laser linewidth on optical fiber transmission systems has been investigated. The maximum transmission distances at different linewidths are first calculated in linear systems with various bit rates. Then it is found that SPM can significantly enhance the PMAM noise which severely deteriorates the performance of system with high optical power and large dispersion. In this case, the laser linewidth and optical power must be well controlled.

Absorptive Nonlinearity in Er-Doped Optical Fiber

Optical absorptive nonlinearity in Er doped optical fiber has been discussed and measured at the window wavelength 1.55 μm for optical communications firstly. It is proposed that the mechanism of this absorptive nonlinearity is the induced absorption. The first order nonlinear absorptive coefficient and the imaginary part and the complex value of the third order susceptibility at that wavelength are obtained from the measured absorptive nonlinearity.

Wideband All-Polarization-Maintaining Yb-Doped Mode-Locked Fiber Laser Using a Nonlinear Optical Loop Mirror

We report on a wide-band and stable mode-locked all-polarization-maintaining fiber laser configuration using a nonlinear optical loop mirror. The central wavelength of the laser is 1080.14nm and the 3dB bandwidth is 20.29nm. The repetition rate of the pulse is 3.28 MHz and the pulse width is 848ps. By tuning the pump power, which is centered at 980nrn, from 300mW to 380mW, we obtain a linearly changed output power from 6row to 7.12roW. The all-polarization-mMntaining fiber configuration is fundamental to the stability of the output power.

Nonlinear polarization rotation-induced pulse shaping in a stretched-pulse ytterbium-doped fiber laser

We report on controllable pulse shaping in a Yb-doped stretched-pulse fiber laser followed by a high-power chirped pulse amplifier. We demonstrate that the pulses after an extra-cavity grating pair change their intensity profile from Lorentz to Gaussian and then to sech2 shapes by adjusting the intra-cavity polarization through a quarter-wave plate inside the fiber laser cavity. The laser pulses with different pulse shapes exhibit pulse-to-pulse amplitude fluctuation of -- 1.02%, while the sech2-shaped pulse train is provided with a more stable free-running repetition rate as a result of the stronger self-phase modulation in the fiber laser cavity than Lorentz- and Gaussian-shaped pulse trains.

Femtosecond parabolic pulse nonlinear compression with gas-filled hollow-core fiber

We study theoretically the spectral intensity evolutions of the femtosecond Gaussian and parabolic pulses with different initial pulse energies and compare the nonlinear compressions of these pulses based on a meter-long hollow-core fiber filled with neon for different initial pulse durations. The pulses are first coupled into gas-filled hollow-core fiber for spectrum broadening, then compressed by the optimal chirp compensation. The parabolic pulse possesses a shorter pulse duration, larger peak power, and cleaner wings than Gaussian pulse. The properties are useful for compressing the pulses and thus generating the high-energy, short-duration pulses.

Nonlinear Optical Fiber Resonator:Optical Fiber Bistability

The linear and nonlinear charecteristics of verious optical riber loop resonators have been processed uniformly using transmission matrix method. It is pointed that in nonlinear operation condition each of those optical fiber loop resonators may be used to make an all-optical fiber bistabillty device.The configuration,charecterictics and threshold of verious Er-doped fiber loop bistability devices have been calculated,analysised, and compared, and the design principle of those devices has been given.

Polarization Jitters Caused by Fiber Nonlinearity in PM Optical Communication System

The phenomenon of polarization jitters caused by fiber nonlinearity is investigated. A general formula about the polarization jitter is concluded in polarization multiplexing (PM) system based on two orthogonal linear polarization states when the best polarization correction is used. A 100 Gb/s PM system based on NRZ code is investigated by simulation, and the Stocks parameter about polarization jitter and Poincare sphere diagrams are got for different power and phase difference of two orthogonal polarized light. The results show that the polarization jitters will be suppressed when the combined PM signal is the linear or circular polarization state.