Photonic generation of a microwave signal by employing a microfiber ring resonator

A novel approach to generate microwave signals is presented by employing a microfiber ring resonator. The microfiber ring resonator is assembled with a microfiber fabricated by heating and drawing standard single-mode fiber. By cascading microfiber ring resonator acted as a comb filter with a tunable bandpass filter, a wavelength-tunable dual-wavelength single longitudinal-mode laser is achieved. A microwave signal at 15.57 GHz with the linewidth of less than 21 kHz is demonstrated by beating the two wavelengths at a photodetector.     

Generalized analysis of multiple ring resonator filters: Modeling by using graphical approach

The filtering characteristics of multiple ring resonator (MRR) filters are modeled and investigated. The ring resonators of the MRR have identical perimeters and the coupling coefficients distribution provide passband characteristics with steeper roll-off, flatter top and greater stopband rejection than single ring resonator. The theoretical results are indicated that the optical loss in micro-rings has a strong influence on the characteristics of the MRR filters. A novel attempt has been made to employ a graphical approach in the analytical derivation of the optical transfer functions of MRR filters that can be represented in signal flow graph diagrams.     

全光纤型微环谐振器的研制

环形谐振器因体积小、功能强、结构简洁等优点长期以来一直在光无源、有源器件的设计和制作中发挥着重要的作用。对光纤的弯曲损耗特性进行了深入分析,指出只有采用微细光纤才能降低全光纤法所制作的环形谐振器的尺寸,加宽器件的自由光谱范围(FSR)获得更好的精细度和品质因子。然后,在改进熔融拉锥技术的同时,保持慢变、绝热条件拉制出在80 mm长度范围内具有良好均匀性、半径为5μm的高质量微细光纤,在此基础上采用自缠绕法研制出半径仅为500μm,谐振效果明显加强的全光纤型微环谐振器,从而很好地解决了集成型微环谐振器较高的弯曲损耗和连接损耗问题。     

A Microwave Photonic Notch Filter Using a Microfiber Ring Resonator

A novel tunable microwave photonic filter based on a microfiber ring resonator is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. A fiber ring laser based on the microfiber ring resonator is employed to generate two singlelongitudinal-mode carriers, then the dispersive element introduces the delay between two modulated carriers. By adjusting the diameter of the microfiber ring resonator, the proposed microwave photonic notch filter can be continuously and widely tuned. The measured notch rejection ratio is greater than 35 dB, and there is good agreement between the experimental result and the theoretical analysis.     

Optical quantum transmitter with finesse of 30 at 800-nm central wavelength using microring resonators

A microring resonator (MRR) system incorporating an add/drop system is presented. The finesse of the proposed system can be determined using the full width at half maximum (FWHM) and free spectrum range (FSR) of the generated multiple soliton pulses. The central wavelength of the bright input soliton pulse has been selected as 800 nm, at which a ring system with better sensitivity shows high finesse that is suitable for applications to many optical communication systems such as optical transmitters and sensors. Simulation results show that FSR of 0.3 nm and 1.1 ns and FWHM of 10 pm and 36.6 ps could be obtained. Therefore, a system with finesse of 30 can be obtained; in such a system, the MRR system shows high performance. This system can be used in optical communication networks as a transmitter system for optical soliton pulses with finesse of 30, and theses pulses can be detected via an optical receiver.     

All-fiber add-drop filters based on microfiber knot resonators

We demonstrate an all-fiber add-drop filter composed of a microfiber knot (working as a resonator) and a fiber taper (working as a dropping fiber). The dropping taper can be either parallel or perpendicular to the input port of the filter. A quality factor (Q factor) of 13,000 is obtained from a parallel-coupling 308 microm diameter microknot add-drop filter with a free spectral range (FSR) of 1.8 nm. A Q factor of approximately 3300 is obtained from a cross-coupling 65 microm diameter microknot add-drop filter with a FSR of 8.1 nm. This device is particularly easy to fabricate and to connect to fiber systems.     

Optimization and analysis of series-coupled microring resonator arrays

In terms of the coupled mode theory and transfer matrix technique, novel formulas of the amplitude coupling ratios and transfer functions are presented for a series-coupled microring resonator (MRR) array. By using these formulas, parameters are optimized, and transmission characteristics including the transmission spectrum and the insertion loss are analyzed for a SiN/SiO₂ series-coupled MRR array on Si substrate. The box-like spectral response is successfully obtained owing to the proper selection of the amplitude coupling ratio between the channel and the ring, and that between adjacent rings, as well as the number of series-coupled rings.     

Hybrid Mach-Zehnder interferometer and knot resonator based on silica microfibers

We propose and demonstrate an all-fiber high Q Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI)-coupled microknot resonator (MZKR) structure using optical microfibers drawn from silica fibers. The experimental results show that this microfiber-based structure achieved a high Q factor of ∼ 15,000 and good interference fringes with extinction ratio of up to ∼ 15 dB. By optimizing the loop-length of the microfiber knot and the optical path-difference of the MZI, the desired MZKR with higher Q factor and better extinction ratio could be obtained. A series of integrated all-fiber optical devices could be realized based on such a MZKR structure due to its outstanding advantages of easy fabrication, great flexibility, low cost, low loss, etc.     

On‐demand photonic crystal resonators

Recent progress in the field of re‐locatable photonic crystal resonators is discussed with a particular emphasis on the flexible scheme that employs highly‐curved microfiber. In this scheme a spectrally‐tunable high‐quality‐factor resonator can be defined repeatedly by physically moving a curved microfiber to a new position. When a curved microfiber is placed on top of a photonic crystal waveguide (or photonic crystal), a photonic well is newly created in the vicinity of the contact point. Inside of this photonic well, high‐quality‐factor resonant modes are generated at frequencies below the cutoff edge of the guided mode. The tapered microfiber is an integral part of a single mode optical fiber and efficient out‐coupling is naturally obtained. The sub‐nanometer spectral tuning capability that is available by changing the curvature of the microfiber is also an important characteristic and discussed. This spectrally‐ and spatially‐reconfigurable photonic crystal resonator is expected to be a potential platform for photonic crystal based single photon sources, which enables accurate spatial overlap and spectral overlap with a single quantum dot, together with straightforward photon out‐coupling to the fiber with high efficiency.     

Experimental investigation of supercontinuum generated from microfiber loop wound on Al-coated silica rod

The microfiber loop supported by Al-coated silica rod is assembled. The critical coupling condition with a maximum extinction of 23.26 dB in the loop is achieved by tuning the coupling coefficient. The supercontinuum generation from single-mode fiber, optical microfiber and microfiber loop is investigated experimentally. Compared with single-mode fiber, spectrum broadening of optical fiber microwire is larger. We also demonstrate that the flatness of supercontinuum generated from the microfiber loop can be controlled by shifting the cross angle between two ports of the microfiber loop wrapped around silica rod. The properties of microfiber loop may provide opportunities for new application of supercontinuum.     

Embedding optical microfiber coil resonators in Teflon

A method to manufacture optical microfiber coil resonators embedded in Teflon has been demonstrated for what is the first time to the best of our knowledge. The resonator was obtained by wrapping a microfiber on a low refractive index rod and coating it with a Teflon resin. The coating process is investigated and discussed. Resonances in excess of 9 dB, a free spectral range of approximately 0.8 nm, and Q factors greater than 6000 have been observed in the embedded resonator. The device is compact, robust, and portable.     

Highly-sensitive silicon-on-insulator sensor based on two cascaded micro-ring resonators with vernier effect

A highly-sensitive integrated optical biosensor based on two cascaded micro-rings resonator (MRR) is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The free spectral ranges (FSRs) of two cascaded micro-rings are designed to be slightly different in order to generate Vernier effect. A preliminary investigation of our sensor with a Q factor of 2 × 10⁴ using different ethanol concentrations shows that the Vernier effect can improve the sensitivity to 1300 nm per refractive index unit (RIU), compared to 62 nm/RIU for a single ring sensor. The sensor also has a large measurement range of refractive index change up to 1.15 × 10^− 2 RIU. It can be useful for low-cost and highly-sensitive optical biosensor system.     

Design of ring resonator based all optical switch for logic and arithmetic operations – A theoretical study

In this paper, a general analysis for non-linear micro-ring resonator as all optical switch is discussed in a vertically coupled GaAs–AlGaAs micro-ring resonator by carrier injection. The ring resonator is optically pumped, which results in temporal shift of resonant wavelength by refractive index change due to carrier injection. A green laser as optical pump beam is used to shift resonant wavelength 1.5 nm of the ring resonator. Simulation, analysis and overall transfer function of single ring as well as cascaded micro-ring resonator (MRR) is studied. A single circuit, consisting of three MRRs, capable to perform all the two input sixteen logic operations is studied and reported. The same circuit can also act as half adder/subtractor and single bit data comparator.     

Transmission characteristic of multi-turn microfiber coil resonator

A transmission characteristic of multi-turn microfiber coil resonator (MCR), which is assembled from an adiabatic microfiber, is demonstrated. A comb spectrum was obtained by wrapping a microfiber on a low refractive indexed rod. A resonance with a free spectral range of 0.8 nm was observed with a single turn on a 0.5 mm diameter low-indexed rod and the change in transmission spectrum of the MCR was evident as the number of turns increased. For every additional microfiber turn, there was an addition of an eigenmode to the system which could be observed from the addition of a new resonance for every fringe in the transmission spectrum. The FSR for every added eigenmode was measured to be close to 0.8 nm.     

Chaotic signal generation and cancellation using a micro ring resonator incorporating an optical add/drop multiplexer

We propose a new design of a chaotic signal generation and cancellation system using an all fiber optic scheme. A system consists of a standard diode laser, a fiber optic micro ring resonator, and an optical add/drop multiplexer. When light from the diode laser is input into the fiber ring resonator, the chaotic signal can be generated by using the selected fiber ring resonator parameters and the diode laser input power. The required signal is obtained in the transmission link via the add/drop device by a specific user at the drop port. Simulation results obtained have shown the potential of application, especially, when the practical ring radius is 10 μm with the optical input power is in the range of the communication standard diode laser, for instance, when the coupling coefficients of the add/drop device are κ₁ = 0.01 and κ₂ = 0.01–0.9. When the add port of the add/drop device is employed, such a system can also be utilized for the multi user applications.     

Optical scattering noise in high Q fiber ring resonators and its effect on optoelectronic oscillator phase noise

Nonlinear phenomena occurring in an optical fiber ring resonator featuring ultrahigh Q factor are experimentally studied. The laser is locked onto the resonator, and the optical power induced in the resonator is controlled. The onset of the first stimulated Brillouin scattering wave occurs at an optical input power as low as -9 dBm in these resonators. When the resonator is used as the frequency reference device in an optoelectronic oscillator (OEO), it has been found that these parasitic signals mix with the OEO signal and degrade its phase noise. More than 20 dB improvement of the OEO phase noise has been demonstrated by limiting these nonlinear optical effects.     

Tunable laser generation with erbium-doped microfiber knot resonator

A tunable laser is demonstrated using a microfiber knot resonator structure made by erbiumdoped fiber (EDF). The laser is made of a 2 m long EDF where 30 mm of its end section is tapered to construct a microfiber knot resonator (MKR). The combination of the EDF and MKR generates a stable single wavelength laser at 1555 nm wavelength with a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 33.7 dB using a 63 mW of 980 nm pump power. The peak wavelength of the laser can be tuned by 340 pm as the MKR diameter reduces from 5.0 to 0.5 mm with an acceptable penalty in output power.     

Multi-wavelength generation of an extremely narrow pulse using a ring resonator system for bio-cells microscopy

We propose a new system of an extremely narrow light pulse generation for optical microscopy applications using a nonlinear ring resonator system. The system consists of one nano and three micro-optical ring resonators, which can be used to generate the 50 fm (10⁻¹⁵ m) optical spectral width at the broad wavelength spectrum. By using a soliton pulse with a pulse width of 50 ps, peak power of 1 W, center wavelength at 550 nm, and after the soliton pulse is launched into the first ring device, the chaotic pulses are generated within the first ring. The chaotic filtering behaviors are performed by using the second and the third ring devices, whereas the extremely short pulse, i.e. narrow spectral width, can be generated by using the extended nano-ring device. The broad spectrum of the harmonic waves is generated and filtered, which is of use in optical tomography. Results obtained have shown that the generation of the broad spectrum of short pulse with width 100 fm and peak power 60 mW is achieved. The possibility of using such a system for nondestructive bio-cells microscopy, for visualizing bio-cells and for bio-cells tomography is also discussed in detail.     

Gaussian soliton generation using a 1.3 μm optical pulse in a micro-ring resonator for a new DWDM enhancement

We present a novel system of a Gaussian soliton generation using a 1.30 μm optical pulse in a nonlinear micro-ring resonator system, which can be used to form the soliton pulse trains within the new wavelength band. By using the suitable parameters, the soliton pulse trains with the center wavelength at 1.30 μm can be generated after the intense Gaussian pulse is input into the nonlinear micro-ring resonator system. The initial pulse bandwidth is enlarged and the signal amplified by the nonlinear Kerr effects type within the ring resonator. The simulation values are used associating with the practical device parameters, whereas the obtained results have shown that the wavelength enhancement of the center wavelength can be achieved. Furthermore, the maximum soliton output power of 12 W is obtained, which is available to perform the long-distance communication link. The common problem of soliton dispersion is minimized by the zero dispersion condition in this case. The major advantage of the proposed system is that the dense wavelength division of the center wavelength with the spectral width of 7.0 pm (10⁻¹⁵ m) and the free spectrum range of 400 pm can be generated and achieved. This is available for the used/installed wavelength enhancement, which can provide more available channel capacity in the existed public optical network.     

An extremely narrow UV pulse generation using a micro- and nano-ring system for pico-lithographic resolution

We propose a new technique of an extremely narrow ultraviolet (UV) pulse width generation for pico-lithography technology using a nonlinear ring resonator system. A system consists of three micro- and a nano-optical ring resonators, which can be used to generate the 50 pm (10⁻¹² m) optical spectral width at the ultraviolet wavelength. By using a soliton pulse with a pulse width of 50 ns, 1 W peak power, center wavelength at 1550 nm, after the soliton pulse is launched into a first ring device, the chaotic pulses are generated within the first ring. The chaotic filtering behaviors are performed by using the second and third ring devices, whereas the extremely short pulse, i.e. narrow spectral width, can be generated by using the extended nano-ring device. The broad spectrum of the harmonic waves is generated and filtered, especially the generation of third harmonic wave, which is known as the ultraviolet wavelength, is achieved, which is capable of forming pico-lithographic resolution. Results obtained have shown that the generation of the spectral width of 50 pm at a wavelength of 511.125 nm, with peak power at 35 mW is achieved.