Tunable wavelength conversion between picosecond pulses using cascaded second-order nonlinearity in LiNbO3 waveguides

Tunable wavelength conversion between picosecond pulses is demonstrated by exploiting cascaded secondorder nonlinearity in periodically poled LiNbO₃ waveguides when the pump pulse with 40-GHz repetition rate and 7.5-ps pulse width is adopted. No external continuous-wave input is required in the proposed wavelength converter. The converted signal wavelength can be tuned from 1519 to 1562.6 nm as the lasing wavelength is changed from 1534.5 to 1572.1 nm.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Tunable wavelength conversion of picosecond pulses based on cascaded sum- and difference-frequency generation in quasi-phase-matched LiNbO3 waveguides

Tunable wavelength conversion for picosecond pulses is proposed and demonstrated exploiting cascaded sum- and difference-frequency generation in quasi-phase-matched LiNbO₃ waveguides. The influences of initial pulse widths and injected pulse powers on the conversion efficiency and converted pulse width are theoretically analyzed. Arbitrarily tunable wavelength conversion is performed for the signal pulse with the temporal width of 1.57 ps and repetition rate of 40 GHz. Approximately −18.9 dB conversion efficiency and 25 nm variable region of the input signal are achieved under the lower launched signal power. The results imply that simultaneous wavelength conversion and pulse compression can be potentially obtained by using the pulsed control wave or designing longer waveguides.     

Wavelength conversion between picosecond pulses using cascaded second-order nonlinearity in LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> waveguides

Wavelength conversion between picosecond pulses with the cascaded second-order nonlinearity in LiNbO₃ waveguides is simulated numerically using finite difference beam propagation method. The influences of group-velocity mismatching and input pulse parameters on conversion efficiency and generated pulse characteristics are analyzed. The results indicate that increasing the input pump pulse width will enhance conversion efficiency but diminish compression ratio of the generated pulse. The generated pulse is inevitably compressed under pulsed pumping, and introducing the initial time delay can reshape the generated pulse.     

Efficient nonlinear phase shifts due to cascaded second-order processes in a counterpropagating quasi-phase-matched configuration

A counterpropagating quasi-phase-matched configuration is examined that is capable of efficiently producing second-order cascaded nonlinear phase shifts with minimal power lost to the second harmonic. For all-optical switching in a nonlinear Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the calculated minimum input power needed for switching (i.e., to yield a +/-pi/2 phase shift) is 40 times smaller than the power needed in the standard typeI copropagating configuration. The throughput of this counterpropagating device is 96% at the optimum switching point.     

Large nonlinear phase shif towing to cascaded chi((2)) in quasi-phase-matched bulk LiNbO(3)

Large nonresonant effective nonlinear indices that are due to cascading have been observed by Z-scan and CCD camera measurements performed on quasi-phase-matched LiNbO(3). Positive and negative values of n(cascad)(2) were measured at temperatures symmetrically displayed with respect to the optimum phase-matching temperatures (2.39 x 10(-13) and -2.37 x 10(-13)cm(2)/W, respectively).     

Exact analysis of cascaded second-order nonlinearity in rotated Ti:LiNbO3 Couplers

The effects of anisotropic coupling on the nonlinear behavior of different LiNbO₃ waveguides and couplers employing cascaded second-order nonlinearity are analyzed and the importance of leaky mode effect is shown. A set of practical coupling structures made of both symmetric and asymmetric waveguides is investigated and their performance is compared. The home-made computer-code, based on coupled wave theory and anisotropic mode propagation in the complex domain, allows an exact electromagnetic investigation of devices, taking into account both guided and leaky propagation in structures which exhibit losses, the generated second harmonic wave having leaky nature. As an example, for the well-investigated slab three layer waveguide, by taking into account the leaky nature of the generated second harmonic, the modal mismatch = 333 m^–1 is obtained at the azimuthal angle _m 61.9 (between the crystal optical c-axis and the propagation direction) while the angle found via the conventional approach is _m 63.5. Moreover, the calculated second harmonic wave exhibits an attenuation equal to 7.44 × 10^–1dB/cm that strongly influences the whole cascaded second-order phenomenon. The simulation results, for those structures in which it is possible to neglect the hybrid and leaky nature of the propagation modes, are compared with the literature data and an excellent agreement is found.     

Spatial trapping of short pulses in Ti-indiffused LiNbO(3) waveguides

We show numerically and experimentally that spatial trapping can be induced in quadratic media even if the pump pulse's duration is shorter than the group-delay mismatch between fundamental wave and second-harmonic components. The influence of phase mismatch and pulse power on the trapping effect is discussed. Spatial, temporal, and spectral behaviors that accompany self-trapped propagation are highlighted.     

Simultaneous wavelength conversion and pulse compression exploiting cascaded second-order nonlinear processes in LiNbO3 waveguides

Simultaneous wavelength conversion and pulse compression are proposed and demonstrated exploiting cascaded second-order nonlinear processes in periodically domain-inverted LiNbO₃ waveguides. The influences of initial pulse widths and waveguide length on the conversion efficiency and converted pulse compression are theoretically analyzed. Tunable wavelength conversion is performed for the signal pulse with the temporal width of 7.5 ps and repetition rate of 40 GHz. Conversion efficiency of more than −24 dB is obtained for 35-nm conversion span under average signal power of 10 dBm when a CW control wave is adopted.     

Group-velocity-matched cascaded quadratic nonlinearities of femtosecond pulses in periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3

Large nonlinear phase shifts were generated with femtosecond pulses at 1560 nm through cascaded quadratic interactions in periodically poled MgO-doped LiNbO3. The off-diagonal component of the nonlinear coefficient was utilized for simultaneous quasi phase matching and group-velocity matching. The effective nonlinear refractive index was varied from -2.9 x 10(-14) to +3.3 x 10(-14) cm2/W by tuning the phase-mismatch conditions.     

Planar-waveguide quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic-generation device in Y-cut MgO-doped LiNbO3

We designed a planar-waveguide quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic-generation device, which consists of a Y-cut periodically poled 5 mol.% MgO-doped LiNbO3 core and SiO2 claddings, that provided a 1.08 W green light with 30% conversion efficiency by using a 7 mm long sample at room temperature. The highest conversion efficiency of 49% at 0.88 W second-harmonic generation was attained by using an 18 mm long device.     

Supercontinuum generation in quasi-phase-matched LiNbO3 waveguide pumped by a Tm-doped fiber laser system

We demonstrate self-referencing of a Tm-doped fiber oscillator-amplifier system by performing octave-spanning supercontinuum generation in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide. We model the supercontinuum generation numerically and show good agreement with the experiment.     

Optical waveguides in LiNbO3 formed by ion implantation

Abstract

Ion implantation in LiNbO₃ can be used to modify the refractive index. The change in indices, n ₀ n _e results from the damage formed by energy deposited by the (dE/dx)_nuclear collisions between the ions and the lattice and is independent of the ion species. A saturation change in index of some ?7% occurs after a deposition of 10²³ keV cm^?3 at 300K, greater changes of ?9 % occur with implants at 77K. Annealing studies indicate the optical absorption formed during irradiation is removed below 200°C whereas the index changes exist up to 400°C. For optical waveguide production a negative change in the index is not ideal as the damaged layer cannot directly act as the region of optical confinement. However the (dE/dx)_electronic term is unimportant and so we have been able to form optical waveguides by ion implantation with light energetic ions (e.g. MeV He⁺ ions) because the damaged layer is then formed beneath an unchanged high index surface layer. This retains the desirable electrooptic properties of the single crystal LiNbO₃. The experimentally observed waveguide modes are in accord with our theoretical predictions of the refractive index profiles.     

Electro-optically tunable self-focusing and self-defocusing in KTP crystals by a cascaded second-order process

We report the transformation of a linear electro-optically tunable non-phase-matched second-order nonlinear process into a cascaded second-order nonlinear process in a bulk KTP crystal to generate the effect of electrooptically tunable Kerr-type nonlinearity. By applying an electric field on the x–y plane, parallel to the z-axis of the crystal, phase mismatch is created, which introduces a nonlinear phase shift between the launched and reconverted fundamental waves from the generated second harmonic wave. Due to the nonuniform radial intensity distribution of a Gaussian beam, a curvature will be introduced into the fundamental wavefront, which focuses or defocuses the incident beam while propagating through the crystal.     

Multiple quasi-phase-matched LiNbO3 wavelength converter with a continuously phase-modulated domain structure

We have devised a novel device structure for a multiple quasi-phase-matched wavelength converter. Optimized continuous phase modulation of a periodic domain structure makes possible multichannel pumping with minimum loss of efficiency. Using the device, we demonstrate variable and simultaneous wavelength conversion of wavelength-division multiplexed signals.     

准位相匹配铌酸锂波导倍频特性分析与优化设计

用标量有限元方法计算了周期性极化的铌酸锂光波导中模折射率和模场分布,并在计算中引入铌酸锂晶体折射率与温度变化的关系,分析了准位相匹配铌酸锂波导倍频效率与极化反转光栅周期、基频光波长、波导器件温度等关系.理论分析与实验结果符合得很好.在此基础上,分析了波导制作参数与倍频效率、光栅周期与晶体温度,以及温度带宽与光栅通光方向长度等关系,进而对铌酸锂波导倍频器件进行优化设计. 关键词： 铌酸锂 光波导 准位相匹配 有限元     

Efficient cascaded difference frequency conversion in periodically poled Ti:LiNbO3 waveguides using pulsed and cw pumping

Using an FM-mode-locked Ti:Er:LiNbO₃ waveguide laser as the fundamental source, wavelength conversion by cascaded χ⁽²⁾:χ⁽²⁾-difference frequency generation with a conversion efficiency of up to +3(-4.6) dB was demonstrated at a pulse repetition rate of about 2 (10) GHz. In addition, multi-channel conversion was demonstrated with a fully packaged wavelength converter using a continuous fundamental source. Received: 29 May 2001 / Revised version: 10 August 2001 / Published online: 2 November 2001     

Low-loss, damage-resistant optical waveguides in Zn-diffused LiNbO3 by a two-step procedure

In the present work the fabrication of high-quality LiNbO₃ waveguides, based on Zn diffusion from vapor phase using a two-step diffusion process, has been demonstrated. The optical waveguides fabricated using this method have low propagation losses (less than 0.5 dB/cm measured at 633 nm), as a consequence of the high surface quality obtained. High photorefractive damage resistance is reported, and it has been related to the Zn incorporation into the LiNbO₃ crystals. Additional advantages of this waveguide fabrication method due to the low temperature of the process (<900 °C) are to prevent Li out-diffusion and to preserve ferroelectric domain structures. Received: 2 March 2000 / Accepted: 21 June 2000 / Published online: 13 September 2000     

Characterization of LiNbO3 waveguides fabricated by proton exchange in water

Proton exchange of LiNbO₃ substrates has been achieved by immersing the samples in distilled water in sealed ampoules at temperatures between 190 °C and 300 °C. The samples have been studied by infrared spectra analysis, dark mode reflectivity and X-ray rocking curve diffraction. The results obtained show that exchange rates as high as with common acids (85%) are easily reached. The structure of the exchanged waveguides varies from the low index -phase to the high index -phases depending on the temperature and time length of the exchange process, as well as on the distilled water amount used. Optical waveguides made up of phases of high, sharp index jump (n_e0.12) as well as of low index jump and very low propagation losses (0.5 dB/cm) have been obtained and characterized. PACS 42.82.Et; 42.70.Mp     

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.     

High-energy quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillation in a 3-mm-thick periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3 device

We have demonstrated high-energy quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillation in a 3-mm-thick periodically poled 5-mol. % MgO-doped LiNbO3 device with a 32.1-microm grating period and a 30-mm length. With a large-spot-size pump laser of 2.2-mm diameter, we obtained a total output pulse energy of 22 mJ for both the signal (wavelength 1.82 microm) and the idler (2.56 microm) waves at an input pump energy of 46 mJ.