All-Optical Sampling Using Nonlinear Polarization Rotation in a Single Semiconductor Optical Amplifier

We propose a novel all-optical sampling method using nonlinear polarization rotation in a semiconductor optical amplifier. A rate-equation model capable of describing the all-optical sampling mechanism is presented in this paper. Based on this model, we investigate the optimized operating parameters of the proposed system by simulating the output intensity of the probe light as functions of the input polarization angle, the phase induced by the polarization controller, and the ori- entation of the polarization beam splitter. The simulated results show that we can obtain a good linear slope and a large linear dynamic range,which is suitable for all-optical sampling. The operating power of the pump light can be less than lmW. The presented all-optical sampling method can potentially operate at a sampling rate up to hundreds GS/s and needs low optical power.

Towards 640 Gbit/s wavelength conversion based on nonlinear polarization rotation in a semiconductor optical amplifier

Taking into account ultra-fast carrier dynamics, this paper models 640 Gbit/s wavelength conversion scheme based on nonlinear polarization rotation （NPR） in a single semiconductor optical amplifier （SOA） and investigates the performance of this kind of wavelength conversion scheme in detail. In this model, two carrier temperature equations are introduced to substitute two energy density equations, which reduce the complexity of calculation in comparison with the previous model. The temporary gain and phase shift dynamics induced by ultra-short optical pulses are numerically simulated and the simulated results are qualitatively in good agreement with reported experimental results. Simulated results show that non-inverted and inverted 640 Gbit/s wavelength conversions based on NPR are achieved with clear open eye diagrams. To further investigate the performance of the non-inverted wavelength conversion scheme, the dependence of output extinction ratio （ER） on some key parameters used in simulation is illustrated. Furthermore, simulated analyses show that high performance non-inverted wavelength conversion based on NPR can be achieved by using a red-shifted filtering scheme.

Broad-Band All-Optical Wavelength Conversion of Differential Phase-Shift Keyed Signal Using an SOA-Based Nonlinear Polarization Switch

Broad-band all-optical wavelength conversion of differential phase-shift keyed （DPSK） signal is experimentally demonstrated. This scheme is composed of a one-bit delay interferometer demodulation stage followed by a semiconductor optical amplifier （SOA） based nonlinear polarization switch. A wavelength converter for the 10 G b/s DPSK signal is presented, which has a wide wavelength range of more than 30 nm. The converted signals experience small power penalties less than 1.4 dB compared with the original signal, at a bit error rate of 10-9. Additionally, the optical spectra, the measured waveforms and the open eye diagrams of the converted signals show a high quality wavelength conversion performance.

Pulse generation in Yb-doped polarization-maintaining fiber laser by nonlinear polarization evolution

We demonstrate a self-started,long-term stable polarization-maintaining mode-locked fiber laser based on the nonlinear polarization evolution technique.A polarized beam splitter is inserted into the cavity of the linear polarizationmaintaining fiber laser to facilitate self-started mode-locking.Pulses with single pulse energy of 26.9 nJ and average output power of 73.9 mW are obtained at the pump power of 600 mW.The transmission characteristics of artificial saturable absorber used in this laser are analyzed theoretically,the influence of the half-wave plate state on mode-locking is discussed,and the mode-locking range is obtained,which is well consistent with the experimental results.

Noise-like pulse generation from a thulium-doped fiber laser using nonlinear polarization rotation with different net anomalous dispersion

A mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser(TDFL) based on nonlinear polarization rotation(NPR) with different net anomalous dispersion is demonstrated. When the cavity dispersion is-1.425 ps^2, the noise-like(NL) pulse with coherence spike width of 406 fs and pulse energy of 12.342 nJ is generated at a center wavelength of 2003.2 nm with 3 dB spectral bandwidth of 23.20 nm. In the experimental period of 400 min, the 3 dB spectral bandwidth variation, the output power fluctuation, and the central wavelength shift are less than 0.06 nm, 0.04 d B, and0.4 nm, respectively, indicating that the NPR-based TDFL operating in the NL regime holds good long-term stability.

Nonlinear polarization effects and mitigation in polarization-division-multiplexed coherent transmission systems

Using numerical simulations, the nonlinear transmission performance of polarization-division-multiplexed quadrature-phase-shift-keying （PDM-QPSK） coherent systems is studied. It is found that inter-channel cross-polarization modulation （XPolM） induced nonlinear polarization scattering can significantly degrade the transmission performance of PDM-QPSK coherent systems and change the perspective of dispersion management in optical coherent transmission systems. Some techniques to mitigate nonlinear polarization scattering in dispersion-managed PDM coherent transmission systems are discussed, including the use of time-interleaved return-to-zero （RZ） PDM formats, the use of periodic-group-delay PGD dispersion compensators, and the judicious addition of some polarization-mode-dispersion （PMD） in the transmission link. It is shown that if nonlinear polarization scattering can be well mitigated, a polarization multiplexed optical coherent transmission system with dispersion management could perform better than that without it.

Dark pulse emission in nonlinear polarization rotation-based multiwavelength mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser

We experimentally show dark pulse generation in all-normal dispersion multiwavelength erbium-doped fiber laser（EDFL） with a long cavity of figure-of-eight configuration. The EDFL generates a stable multiwavelength laser with 0.47 nm spacing at 24 m W threshold pump power, while the number of lines obtained increases with the pump power. A dark pulse emission is observed as the pump power is increased above 137 m W, with fundamental repetition rate of 29 k Hz and pulse width of 2.7 μs. It is observed that the dark pulse train can be shifted to second-, third-, and fourth-order harmonic dark pulses by carefully adjusting the polarization controller. For the fundamental dark pulse, the maximum pulse energy of 32.4 n J is obtained at pump power of 146.0 mW.

Optical sampling system using periodically-poled lithium niobate waveguide and nonlinear polarization rotation mode-locked fiber laser

A novel design of optical sampling system has been developed by using sum-frequency generation （SFG） in a periodically-poled lithium niobate （PPLN） waveguide and using passive mode-locked fiber laser pulses as optical sampling pulses. The system achieved high temporal resolution and high sensitivity using a 30 mm length PPLN with quasi phase match period of 19.3 μm and 151 fs sampling pulses which were generated by passive modelock fiber laser based on nonlinear polarization rotation （NPR）. Clear eye-diagram of 10 Gbit/s non-return-to-zeros （NRZ） pseudorandom binary sequence （PRBS） optical signal were successfully reconstructed by this system.

Investigation of ellipticity and pump power in a passively mode-locked fiber laser using the nonlinear polarization rotation technique

An elliptical initial polarization state is essential for generating mode-locked pulses using the nonlinear polarization rotation technique. In this work, the relationship between the ellipticity ranges capable of maintaining mode-locked operation against different pump power levels is investigated. An increasing pump power, in conjunction with minor adjustments to the polarization controller＇s quarter waveplate, results in a wider ellipticity range that can accommodate mode-locked operation. Other parameters such as noise, pulsewidth, and average output power are also observed to vary as the ellipticity changes.

Linear polarization holography

Polarization holography is a newly researched field,that has gained traction with the development of tensor theory.It primarily focuses on the interaction between polarization waves and photosensitive materials.The extraordinary capabil-ities in modulating the amplitude,phase,and polarization of light have resulted in several new applications,such as holo-graphic storage technology,multichannel polarization multiplexing,vector beams,and optical functional devices.In this paper,fundamental research on polarization holography with linear polarized wave,a component of the theory of polariz-ation holography,has been reviewed.Primarily,the effect of various polarization changes on the linear and nonlinear po-larization characteristics of reconstructed wave under continuous exposure and during holographic recording and recon-struction have been focused upon.The polarization modulation realized using these polarization characteristics exhibits unusual functionalities,rendering polarization holography as an attractive research topic in many fields of applications.This paper aims to provide readers with new insights and broaden the application of polarization holography in more sci-entific and technological research fields.

Filamentation-assisted fourth-order nonlinear process in KTP crystal

We present an experimental investigation of a filamentation-assisted fourth-order nonlinear optical process in KTP crystals pumped by intense 1.53 eV （807 nm） femtosecond laser pulses. Femtosecond light pulses at 2.58 eV （480 nm） are generated by the fourth-order nonlinear polarization （p（4） （ω2） = X（4） （ω2, ω, ω, ω, -ω1）E3 （ω）E＊ （ω1）, where E（w） corresponds to the pump frequency and E（wl） to the supercontinuum generated through filamentation）. If the system is seeded by a laser beam at ω1 or ω2 and there are spatial and temporal overlaps with the pump beam, E（ω1） and E（ω2） are simultaneously amplified. When the intensity of the seed laser beam exceeds a certain intensity threshold, the contribution of p（4） （ω） = X（4） （ω, ω1, ω2, -ω, -ω）E（ω1）E（ω2）（E＊ （ω））2 becomes non-negligible, and the amplification weakens. The conversion efficiency from the pump to the signal at 2.58 eV （480 nm） attains to 0.1%.

Generation of cavity-birefringence-dependent multi-wavelength bright-dark pulse pair in a figure-eight thulium-doped fiber laser

We experimentally demonstrated a stable multi-wavelength bright-dark pulse pair in a mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser(TDFL).The nonlinear polarization rotation(NPR)and nonlinear optical loop mirror(NOLM)were employed in a figure-eight cavity to allow for multi-wavelength mode-locking operation.By incorporating different lengths of high birefringence polarization-maintaining fiber(PMF),the fiber laser could operate stably in a multi-wavelength emission state.Compared with the absence of the PMF,the birefringence effect caused by PMF resulted in rich multi-wavelength optical spectra and better intensity symmetry and stability of the bright-dark pulse pair.

A theoretical and experimental study on all-normal-dispersion Yb-doped mode-locked fiber lasers

We report on a theoretical and experimental study of an all-normal-dispersion （ANDi） Yb-doped mode-locked fiber laser, in which nonlinear polarization rotation （NPR） is used to realize mode-locking without any dispersion compensation. Based on the coupled nonlinear Schr6dinger （CNLS） equation, a model simulating the mode-locked process of an all-normal-dispersion ring fiber laser is developed, which shows that the achievement of stable mode-locking depends on the alignment of the polarization controller （PC） along the fast-polarization axis of the fiber, the birefringence intensity, and the net cavity dispersion. According to the theoretical analysis, stable mode-locked pulses with pulse duration 300 ps and average output power 33.9 mW at repetition rate 36 MHz are obtained.

Transition state to mode locking in a passively mode-locked erbium-doped fibre ring laser

The transition state between the continuous wave region and the mode-locked region in a passively mode-locked erbium-doped fibre ring laser has been experimentally observed by utilizing the nonlinear polarization rotation technique. When the pump power reaches the mode-locked threshold, the metastable pulse train with a tunable repetition rate is obtained in the transition from the continuous wave state to the passive mode-locked state via proper adjustment of the polarization controller. A simpie model has been established to explain the experimental observation.

Temporal contrast enhancement by nonlinear elliptical polarization rotation in a multi-pass cell

We demonstrate the simultaneous temporal contrast improvement and pulse compression of a Yb-doped femtosecond laser via nonlinear elliptical polarization rotation in a solid state multi-pass cell.The temporal contrast is improved to 109,while the pulse is shortened from 181 to 36 fs,corresponding to a compression factor of 5.The output beam features excellent beam quality with M^(2) values of 1.18×1.16.The total efficiency of the contrast enhancement system exceeds 50%.This technique will have wide applications in high temporal contrast ultra-intense femtosecond lasers.

Reconfigurable metasurfaces that enable light polarization control by light

Plasmonic metasurfaces have recently attracted much attention because of their novel characteristics with respect to light polarization and wave front control on deep-subwavelength scales.The development of metasurfaces with reconfigurable optical responses is opening new opportunities in high-capacity communications,real-time holograms and adaptive optics.Such tunable devices have been developed in the mid-infrared spectral range and operated in light intensity modulation schemes.Here we present a novel optically reconfigurable hybrid metasurface that enables polarization tuning at optical frequencies.The functionality of tuning is realized by switching the coupling conditions between the plasmonic modes and the binary isomeric states of an ethyl red switching layer upon light stimulation.We achieved more than 20°nonlinear changes in the transmitted polarization azimuth using just 4 mW of switching light power.Such design schemes and principles could be easily applied to dynamically adjust the functionalities of other metasurfaces.

Generation of 12th order harmonic mode-locking in a Nd-doped single-mode all-fiber laser operating at 0.9μm

Based on the Nd-doped single-mode fiber as the gain medium,an all-fiber 12th harmonic mode-locked(HML)laser operating at the 0.9μm waveband was obtained for the first time,to the best of our knowledge.A mandrel with a diameter of 10 mm was employed to introduce bending losses to suppress mode competition at 1.06μm,which resulted in a suppression ratio of up to 54 dB.The 1st–12th order HML pulses with the tunable repetition rate of 494.62 kHz–5.94 MHz were obtained in the mode-locked laser with a center wavelength of∼904 nm.In addition,the laser has an extremely low threshold pump power of 88 mW.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first time that an HML pulse has been achieved in a 0.9μm Nd-doped single-mode all-fiber mode-locked laser with the advantages of low cost,simple structure,and compactness,which could be an ideal light source for two-photon microscopy.

Recent progress in multi-wavelength fiber lasers:principles,status,and challenges

In recent years,multi-wavelength fiber lasers play a significant role in plenty of fields,ranging from optical communications to mechanical processing and laser biomedicine,owing to their high beam quality,low cost,and excellent heat dissipation properties.Benefitting from increasing maturity of optical elements,the multi-wavelength fiber laser has made rapid developments.In this review,we summarize and analyze diverse implementation methods covering continuous wave and pulsed fiber lasers at room temperature conditions:inserting an optical filter device and intensity-dependent loss structure in the resonant cavity,and applying ultrafast nonlinear optical response of materials and a dual-cavity structure.Finally,future challenges and perspectives of the multi-wavelength fiber laser are discussed and addressed.

All-Optical Flip-Flop Based on Coupled SOA-PSW

The semiconductor optical amplifier （SOA） has obvious advantages in all-optical signal processing, because of the simple structure, strong non-linearity, and easy integration. A variety of all-optical signal processing functions, such as all-optical wavelength conversion, all-optical logic gates and all-optical sampling, can be completed by SOA. So the SOA has been widespread concerned in the field of all-optical signal processing. Recently, the polarization rotation effect of SOA is receiving considerable interest, and many researchers have launched numerous research work utilizing this effect. In this paper, a new all-optical flip-flop structure using polarization switch （PSW） based on polarization rotation effect of SOA is presented.

Study of All-Optical Sampling Using a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier

All-optical sampling is an important research content of all-optical signal processing. In recent years, the application of the semiconductor optical amplifier （SOA） in optical sampling has attracted lots of attention because of its small volume and large nonlinear coefficient. We propose an optical sampling model based on nonlinear polarization rotation effect of the SOA. The proposed scheme has the advantages of high sampling speed and small input pump power, and a transfer curve with good linearity was obtained through simulation. To evaluate the performance of sampling, we analyze the linearity and efficiency of sampling pulse considering the impact of pulse width and analog signal frequency. We achieve the sampling of analog signal to high frequency pulse and exchange the positions of probe light and pump light to study another sampling.