Bandwidth enhancement and response flattening of cascaded sum- and difference-frequency generation-based wavelength conversion

We investigate bandwidth enhancement and response flattening of wavelength conversion based on cascaded sum-frequency generation and difference-frequency generation (SFG/DFG) in quasi-phase-matched periodically poled lithium niobate waveguides by use of two pump lights. Analysis shows that the conversion properties deeply depend on the pump settings. The bandwidth is efficiently enhanced by augmenting the pump wavelength difference. The critical bandwidth corresponding to the response fluctuation of 1 dB in a 3-cm-long waveguide reaches 80-90 nm, which is enough to cover the entire conventional-band and long-wavelength-band. The cascaded SFG/DFG bandwidth is about 24% broader than that of the cascaded second-harmonic generation and difference-frequency generation-based configuration with the same waveguide length. However, the response fluctuation is also enhanced together with the bandwidth enhancement. The method of pump detuning is presented to flatten the response fluctuation. The fluctuation is reduced by more than 1 dB and it can be further reduced by increasing the pump detuning value with a little efficiency penalty.     

基于PPLN光波导和频与差频级联型全光波长转换的研究

介绍了基于准相位匹配周期极化反转铌酸锂光波导的和频与差频(SFG DFG)级联型全光波长转换技术的基本原理.计算了SFG DFG级联型波长转换的转换效率,分析了抽运光功率以及两个抽运光之间的间距对转换效率的影响,抽运光功率越大,转换效率越高;转换效率随着间距的增大先增大后减小.单抽运调节时的抽运带宽为0.5 nm,同时对信号光脉冲还有压缩作用,压缩比是0.68.     

Analysis of difference frequency generation and cascaded second-harmonic generation and difference frequency generation in lossy quasi-phase-matched semiconductor waveguides

The analytical expressions of converted wave power for difference frequency generation (DFG), cascaded second-harmonic generation and difference frequency generation (cSHG/DFG) processes have been obtained under the non-depletion approximation in lossy waveguides. It is shown that the analytical results and the numerical simulation with depletion agree very well for lossy waveguides. Employing the analytical solutions, the formulas of optimized waveguide lengths in lossy waveguides are obtained for DFG and cSHG/DFG processes. After designing an AlGaAs quasi-phase-matched ridge waveguide, we investigate and compare the characteristics of the second-order nonlinear effects with and without waveguide loss, such as conversion efficiency, conversion bandwidth, pump wavelength tolerance and temperature stability in detail.     

准相位匹配级联二阶非线性全光波长转换研究

对基于级联和频差频非线性效应铌酸锂光波导新型全光波长转换器进行了理论研究。这种新型波长变换器需要两束抽运光源,它将输入的抽运光波长置于信号光波段窗口的两边,抽运光波长与信号光波长相近容易实现最佳耦合又不会占用信号波段,而且具有偏振不敏感的优点。从建立级联和频差频铌酸锂光波导全光波长转换器的理论模型出发,给出了波导中光相互作用的耦合模方程;利用逐步法详细推导了耦合模方程的解,得出了物理意义清晰的转换光功率表达式,分析了非线性晶体相互作用长度、抽运光功率对转换效率的影响,为级联和频差频铌酸锂光波导全光波长转换器优化设计提供了理论依据。     

Optimization of the idler wavelength tunable cascaded optical parametric oscillator based on chirp-assisted aperiodically poled lithium niobate crystal

We present the numerical results for the optimization of the pump-to-idler conversion efficiencies of nanosecond idler wavelength tunable cascaded optical parametric oscillators(OPO) in different wavelength tuning ranges, where the primary signals from the OPO process are recycled to enhance the pump-to-idler conversion efficiencies via the simultaneous difference frequency generation(DFG) process by monolithic aperiodically poled, magnesium oxide doped lithium niobate(APMg LN) crystals. The APMg LN crystals are designed with different chirp parameters for the DFG process to broaden their thermal acceptance bandwidths to different extents. The idler wavelength tuning of the cascaded OPO is realized by changing the temperature of the designed APMg LN crystal and the cascaded oscillation is achieved in a single pump pass singly resonant linear cavity. The pump-to-idler conversion efficiencies with respect to the pump pulse duration and ratio of OPO coefficient to DFG coefficient are calculated by numerically solving the coupled wave equations. The optimal working conditions of the tunable cascaded OPOs pumped by pulses with energies of 350 μJ and 700 μJ are compared to obtain the general rules of optimization. It is concluded that the optimization becomes the interplay between the ratio of OPO coefficient to DFG coefficient and the pump pulse duration when the idler wavelength tuning range and the pump pulse energy are fixed. Besides, higher pump pulse energy is beneficial for reaching higher optimal pump-to-idler conversion efficiency as long as the APMg LN crystal is optimized according to this pump condition. To the best of our knowledge,this is the first numerical analysis of idler wavelength tunable cascaded OPOs based on chirp-assisted APMg LN crystals.     

Experimental observation of tunable wavelength down- and up-conversions of ultra-short pulses in a periodically poled LiNbO3 waveguide

All-optical tunable wavelength conversion of ps-pulses is proposed and experimentally demonstrated by use of cascaded sum- and difference frequency generation (cSFG/DFG) in a periodically poled LiNbO₃ (PPLN) waveguide. The amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise is effectively suppressed by employing two tunable filters. As a result, tunable wavelength down- and up-conversions are simultaneously observed. The temporal evolutions of the signal, pump, control and idler waves propagating along the PPLN waveguide are simulated. From the temporal waveforms and optical spectra in the simulations, it is interesting to find that continuous wave (CW) pump and control are evolved into optical pulses during the cSFG/DFG nonlinear interactions. Moreover, some new sidebands in the output pump spectrum are observed both in the simulations and experiments.     

Reduction of light signal pulse distortion in cascaded sum-frequency-generation and difference-frequency-generation wavelength conversion

Cascaded sum-frequency-generation (SFG) and difference-frequency-generation (DFG) can implement a wavelength conversion between arbitrary combinations of input and output signal wavelengths. By using a tunable wavelength pump light, the output wavelength can be tuned to a desired wavelength. As in many wavelength conversion devices using the nonlinear optical effect, the group velocity difference between light pulses with different wavelength causes a walk-off effect deforming the output pulse shape. Thus the device length should be kept short to avoid the walk-off effect resulting in limited conversion efficiency. In this report, we propose a method for a quasi-phase matched (QPM) device to maintain the pulse shape of the SFG light pulse along the propagation distance. The output DFG light pulse deformation is suppressed and the conversion efficiency can be increased by extending the device length.     

基于双通构型的和频、差频可变波长路由方案及其应用

提出了双通构型的基于“和频”和“差频”级联二阶非线性效应的可变波长路由方案,通过调节两个抽运源的频率,可以从一个WDM(wavelength division multiplexing)链路中取出任意一个信道,然后将其转换为任意一个波长并插入到另一个WDM链路中去.实现了可调谐波长转换和光波长路由的结合.通过小信号分析,给出了相位匹配情况下,输入信号光在波导中功率变化的表达式和输出转换光功率变化的表达式,并给出了提高系统效率的对两个抽运光功率的优化方案.数值计算表明,只要信道间隔大于02nm(25GHz 关键词： 光波长路由 光波长转换 光交换 PPLN     

单到单和单到双信道皮秒脉冲全光波长转换的实验研究

基于周期极化反转铌酸锂（PPLN）光波导级联倍频和差频（SHG+DFG）的二阶非线性效应,提出并实验研究了皮秒脉冲的可调谐波长转换以及单信道到双信道的波长转换.信号光采用重复频率为40 GHz,脉宽为1.57 ps的脉冲信号.连续抽运光由光纤环形腔激光器（FRL）提供.不同于传统的SHG+DFG型波长转换,信号光固定在PPLN光波导倍频过程的准相位匹配（QPM）波长处,通过调节抽运光的波长实现了转换空闲光的可调谐输出.当使用两个抽运光时实验观察到了单信道到双信道的波长转换.     

Competition between SFG and two SHGs in broadband type-I QPM

In this paper, we have studied the characteristics of second-order nonlinear interactions with band-overlapped type-I quasi-phase-matching (QPM) second harmonic generation (SHG) and sum-frequency generation (SFG), and predicted a blue-shift with a band-narrowing of their bands and a sunken response in the SFG curve, which are due to the phase-matching-dependent competition between band-overlapped SHG and SFG processes. This prediction is then verified by the experiment in an 18-mm-long bulk MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate crystal (MgO:PPLN) and may provide the candidate solution to output controlling for flexible broadcast wavelength conversion, channel-selective wavelength conversion and all-optical logic gates by cascaded QPM second-order nonlinear processes.     

Experimental observation of a 1.5 microm band wavelength conversion and logic NOT gate at 40 Gbit/s based on sum-frequency generation

We have experimentally verified a new idea for 40 Gbit/s wavelength conversion within the 1.5 microm band based on sum-frequency generation (SFG) in a periodically poled LiNbO3 waveguide. The spectrum and the temporal waveform of the output pump reveal that the input cw pump is converted to an optical pulse during SFG. Not only wavelength conversion but also a logic NOT gate at 40 Gbit/s are experimentally observed.     

光纤型宽带可调连续波差频产生中红外激光器转换效率的研究

以掺镱光纤激光器为抽运源、掺铒光纤激光器后接掺铒光纤放大器为信号源,利用周期极化掺镁铌酸锂晶体,研究了全光纤化差频产生中红外激光器的转换效率特性。结果表明,抽运光和信号光偏振态影响差频产生过程的转换效率,利用偏振控制器,可将抽运光和信号光偏振方向调节到与晶体光轴方向平行,以获得高的转换效率。抽运光和信号光的光束质量既影响差频产生过程的转换效率,又决定晶体纵向位置的容限,当聚焦系统由自聚焦透镜和焦距100mm平凸透镜组成时,相对转换效率达0.717mW-2,晶体纵向位置容限为44mm。此外,差频光在3126.36~3529.6nm范围内调谐时,转换效率基本保持不变。     

在周期性极化铌酸锂波导中的波长转换与光谱分析

实验研究了在准相位匹配LiNbO₃波导中级联的倍频和差频波长转换,通过对转换频谱分析和波形对比分析,讨论了在脉冲泵浦情况下走离效应对光脉冲之间波长转换的影响：由于波导的色散性能,不同波长的光脉冲在波导中传播具有不同的群速度,处在0.8 μm光波段的倍频光脉冲比处在1.55 μm光波段的泵浦光脉冲的传播速度慢,导致了倍频光脉冲与泵浦光脉冲在传播的过程中发生走离;因此倍频脉冲在频域被压缩而在时域被展宽,并遗传给差频过程使得转换脉冲的谱宽变窄、脉宽增加、占空比变大,表明脉冲光泵浦波长转换对信号频谱及波形不是严格透明的转换。实验同时实现了一对多通道的波长转换,表明连续控制光的线宽对转换信号的信噪比有较大的影响。     

级联差频产生太赫兹辐射的理论研究

针对差频产生太赫兹(THz)辐射转换效率低的缺点,提出了级联差频的新机理以提高转换效率,并以ZnTe晶体为例,对级联差频产生THz辐射的原理和过程进行了理论研究.通过对级联差频耦合波方程组的求解,得出了ZnTe晶体中级联差频的最佳抽运条件和ZnTe晶体的最佳长度,并且分析了晶体吸收、波矢失配及抽运强度对级联差频的影响.计算结果表明,通过级联差频可以大大提高THz波的转换效率,其光子转换效率甚至可以超过Manley-Rowe关系的限制. 关键词： 太赫兹辐射 差频 级联 ZnTe晶体     

周期域反转铌酸锂可调谐波长转换器的皮秒脉冲实验

实验研究了周期域反转铌酸锂光波导级联和频与差频二阶非线性效应(cSFG/DFG)皮秒脉冲间的可调谐波长转换。信号光采用重复频率为40 GHz,脉宽为1.57 ps的脉冲信号。当输入信号光和第一个控制光波长分别为1554.4 nm和1532.5 nm时,通过调节第二个控制光波长由1550.5 nm到1541.0 nm,输出信号光波长可从1536.0 nm调谐至1545.2 nm。当输入信号光波长改变时,通过改变第一个控制光波长以满足和频过程的准相位匹配条件,同时调节第二个控制光波长可以实现输出信号光波长的可调谐。实验中利用两个窄带可调谐滤波器有效抑制了掺铒光纤放大器引入的放大自发辐射噪声,同时观察到了波长下转换和波长上转换。     

Analysis of broadband third harmonic generation with non-collinear angular dispersion in KDP crystals

A new scheme with non-collinear sum frequency generation (SFG) process of broadband third harmonic generation (THG) with two KDP crystals (one doubler and one mixer) using angular dispersion was proposed. The principle of broadband harmonic generation with non-collinear angular dispersion was presented. The comparison between the schemes of non-collinear and collinear SFG process was performed. The effects of the angular dispersion on the conversion efficiency, the pulse shape and the spectrum of the third harmonic field were discussed. The results show that, if proper angular dispersion is added to the fundamental and the second harmonic field outside the mixing KDP crystal, respectively, the broadband third harmonic conversion efficiency can be improved significantly. However, the difficulty of this scheme arises due to the requirement of two gratings with different angular dispersion outside the mixer. With the new scheme, it can be simpler that only one grating is needed to realize the broadband phase matching in the non-collinear SFG process. Although the fundamental and the second harmonic field inside the mixing crystal are non-collinear except the center wavelength, a blazing grating with proper angular dispersion for the fundamental field (twice as that for second harmonic field) can yield the well compensation for phase mismatching in the SFG process. Consequently, the conversion efficiency and the characteristics of the third harmonic field for the broadband third harmonic generation can be improved significantly.     

Quasi-phase-matched generation of tunable blue light in a quasi-periodic structure

We present what is to our knowledge a new approach to generating tunable blue light by cascaded nonlinear frequency conversion in a single LiTaO3 crystal. Simultaneous quasi-phase matching of an optical parametric generation process and a sum-frequency mixing process is achieved by means of structuring the crystal with a quasi-periodic optical superlattice. The spectral (wavelength tuning and bandwidth) and power characteristics of the blue-light generation are studied with a fixed-wavelength 532-nm picosecond laser and a wavelength-tunable nanosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) as the pump sources. By tuning the OPO wavelength, we could tune the blue output over approximately 20 nm. Temperature tuning of the blue output at a fixed pump wavelength of 532 nm was limited to approximately 1.5 nm. A maximum blue power of 15 microW was generated at a pump power of 0.5 mW, corresponding to an efficiency of 3%.     

Widely tunable terahertz-wave generation using an N-benzyl-2-methyl-4-nitroaniline crystal

Widely tunable terahertz (THz)-wave generation using difference frequency generation (DFG) in an organic N-benzyl-2-methyl-4-nitroaniline (BNA) crystal was demonstrated. To our knowledge, this is the first report of THz-wave generation by BNA DFG. Large, high-quality single crystals of BNA (phi 8 mm x 30 mm) were grown using the vertical Bridgman method. The nonlinear optical (NLO) coefficient d(33) of the BNA crystal is approximately 234 pm/V, which is the largest value reported for any yellow NLO material. The collinear phase-matching condition of the type-0 configuration is satisfied using a 0.7-1 microm band pump wavelength. We generated THz waves using an organic BNA crystal; the generation range is 0.1-15 THz.     

Wideband wavelength conversion using double-pass cascaded χ:χ interaction in lossy waveguides

We report the wavelength conversion based on double-pass cascaded nonlinear interaction (χ⁽²⁾:χ⁽²⁾) of sum and difference frequency generation in quasi-phase matched lithium niobate waveguides and compare it with double-pass cascaded second harmonic generation and difference frequency generation with and without waveguide loss. It is shown that the efficiency decreases considerably even for the low-loss waveguide compared to the lossless one especially for long waveguides and to achieve the higher efficiency for the same length, the amount of the extra power to compensate the loss increases. Also, an increased detuning of pump wavelength is proposed to flatten the response with a small efficiency penalty. The detuning- and loss-compensating pump powers can be found using the design diagrams in which the criteria for the design of waveguide length and the assignment of pumps power to obtain the desired efficiency, ripple and bandwidth are presented assuming a 75-nm pump wavelength difference.     

High idler conversion with an intracavity optical parametric oscillator and difference frequency generation

Tunable mid IR generation is analyzed with an optical parametric oscillator (OSO) and difference frequency generation (DFG) based on two periodically poled gratings. To obtain chirped-pulse amplification techniques, in the difference frequency generation the group-velocity must be matched. If grating periods are selected, appropriately, the wider tunable range of output pulse can be obtained. Because the group velocity is matched, the parametric bandwidth and the maximum effective length will be enhanced. We theoretically demonstrate high idler conversion in a femtosecond optical parametric oscillators with two different and cascaded periodically poled gratings. In the first grating the signal and the idler 1 are generated, while in the second one, the midwave infrared idler 2 is generated. The dependence of the lengths of the two cavities on the conversion efficiency is discussed.