Intermodal Four-Wave-Mixing and Parametric Amplification in km-long Fibers

We theoretically and numerically investigate intermodal four-wave-mixing in km-long fibers, where random birefringence fluctuations are present along the fiber length. We identify several distinct regimes that depend on the relative magnitude between the length scale of the random fluctuations and the beat-lengths of the interacting quasi-degenerate modes. In addition, we analyze the impact of polarization mode-dispersion and we demonstrate that random variations of the core radius, which are typically encountered during the drawing stage of the fiber, can represent the major source of bandwidth impairment. These results set a boundary on the limits of validity of the classical Manakov model and may be useful for the design of multimode parametric amplifiers and wavelength converters, as well as for the analysis of nonlinear impairments in long-haul spatial division multiplexed transmission

Linear Sampling and Magnification Technique Based on Phase Modulators and Dispersive Elements: the Temporal Lenticular Lens

International audienceIn this work, we exploit the space/time duality in optics to implement a temporal lenticular lens allowing to simultaneously sample and magnify an arbitrary-shaped optical signal. More specifically, by applying a sinusoidal phase-modulation, the signal under test is propagated through a discrete dispersive element that samples and magnifies its initial waveform. Thanks to this temporal lenticular lens, optical sampling associated to an intensity magnification factor of 3.6 is experimentally demonstrated at a repetition rate of 10 GHz

Mieux comprendre la dualité temps/fréquence et la modulation de phase optique

National audienceL'analyse de Fourier tient une place majeure dans l'analyse et la compréhension de nombreux phénomènes de la physique et de l'ingénierie contemporaines. Pourtant les étudiants, qui ont souvent découvert cette notion à travers des travaux numériques, ne cernent pas forcément toute la richesse qui peut être tirée de l'analyse conjointe dans les do-maines temporels et spectraux, notamment dans le domaine de l'optique. Nous avons mis en place dans le cadre de la seconde année du master Physique Lasers et Matériaux de l'Université de Bourgogne une expérience permettant d'insister sur ces notions et de montrer sur un exemple non trivial de modulation de phase périodique, les précautions à prendre dans l'interprétation des différents spectres accessibles expérimentalement. Cette séance de travaux pratiques, rendue possible grâce à l'utilisation de l'infrastructure de recherche, constitue également une introduction à l'utilisation de matériel standard des télécommunications optiques

Statistical analysis of pulse propagation driven by polarization-mode dispersion

International audienceThe linear propagation of pulses driven by random polarization-mode dispersion is considered. Analytical expressions are derived for the probability-density functions of the pulse width, timing displacement, and degree of polarization. The study is performed in Stokes space, and frequency correlation between modes is shown to play an important role in it

Self-Repolarization process in dual-Omnipolarizers

We report on an extension of the concept of nonlinear self-repolarization process by means of two different architectures based on dual-Omnipolarizers. More specifically, we compare the performance in terms of polarization attraction capabilities provided by two novel arrangements: The first configuration relies on two cascaded Omnipolarizers, whilst the second architecture integrates an additional device directly into the feedback loop. Our study reveals that for a constant power budget, the cascading of two subsequent Omnipolarizers enables to improve the efficiency of the attraction process, yielding an output Degree-of-Polarization close to unity, but at the cost of twofold equipments

Nonlinear spectral compression in optical fiber:a new tool for processing degraded signals

We propose two new applications of the spectral focusing by self-phase modulation that occurs in a nonlinear optical fiber. We numerically show the possibility of using nonlinear spectral compression to improve the optical signal to noise ratio and mitigate the amplitude jitter of the signal pulses. We also demonstrate experimentally that use of spectral focusing in a combination with an external sinusoidal phase modulation achieves efficient suppression of coherent spectral background

80 GHz waveform generated by the optical Fourier synthesis of four spectral sidebands

International audienceUsing the linear phase shaping of a simple four-line optical frequency comb, we experimentally demonstrate the generation of various optical waveforms such as parabolic, triangular or flat-top pulse trains at a repetition rate of 80 GHz. The initial 80 GHz comb is obtained through the nonlinear spectral broadening of a 40 GHz carrier-suppressed sinusoidal beating in a highly nonlinear fiber. Proof-of-principle experiments are reported for two distinct configurations of the waveform generated: continuous trains and bunches of shaped pulses

All-optical sampling and magnification based on XPM-induced focusing

International audienceWe theoretically and experimentally investigate the design of an all-optical noiseless magnification and sampling function free from any active gain medium and associated high-power continuous wave pump source. The proposed technique is based on the co-propagation of an arbitrary shaped signal together with an orthogonally polarized intense fast sinusoidal beating within a normally dispersive optical fiber. Basically, the strong nonlinear phase shift induced by the sinusoidal pump beam on the orthogonal weak signal through cross-phase modulation turns the defocusing regime into localized temporal focusing effects. This periodic focusing is then responsible for the generation of a high-repetition-rate temporal comb upon the incident signal whose amplitude is directly proportional to its initial shape. This internal redistribution of energy leads to a simultaneous sampling and magnification of the signal intensity profile. This process allows us to experimentally demonstrate a 40-GHz sampling operation as well as an 8-dB magnification of an arbitrary shaped nanosecond signal around 1550 nm in a 5-km long normally dispersive fiber. The experimental observations are in quantitative agreement with numerical and theoretical analysis

Émergence de flaticons dans les fibres optiques

Conférence pouvant être vue sur http://youtu.be/p9OnhcHQ3MwNational audienceNous étudions expérimentalement la propagation non-linéaire d'une onde continue menant à l'émergence d'impulsions au sommet plat et sans dérive de fréquence. Ces impulsions, appelées flaticons, subissent une évolution auto-similaire de leur partie centrale et présentent des oscillations temporelles marquées dans leurs flancs

All-fiber transform-limited spectral compression by self-phase modulation of amplitude shaped pulses

International audienceWe demonstrate efficient spectral compression of picosecond pulses in an all-fiber configuration at telecommunication wavelengths. Thanks to parabolic pulse shaping, a spectral compression by a factor 12 is achieved with an enhanced Strehl ratio