Characterization and optimization of an eight-channel time-multiplexed pulse-shaping system

Journal Article · Tue Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Journal of Lightwave Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/JLT.2016.2637281· OSTI ID:1351528

Dorrer, Christophe ^[1]; Bittle, Wade A. ^[1]; Cuffney, Robert ^[1]; Spilatro, Michael ^[1]; Hill, Elizabeth M. ^[1]; Kosc, Tanya Z. ^[1]; Kelly, John H. ^[1]; Zuegel, Jonathan D. ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States). Lab. for Laser Energetics

High-performance optical pulse shaping is paramount to photonics and lasers applications for which high-resolution optical waveforms must be generated. We investigate the design and performance of a time-multiplexed pulse shaping (TMPS) system in which optical waveforms from a single pulse-shaping unit are demultiplexed and retimed before being sent to different optical systems. This architecture has the advantages of low cost and low relative jitter between optical waveforms because a single pulse-shaping system, e.g., a high-performance arbitrary waveform generator driving a Mach-Zehnder modulator, generates all the waveforms. We demonstrate an eight-channel TMPS system based on a 1 × 8 LiNbO₃ demultiplexer composed of four stages of 1 × 2 Δβ phase-reversal switches that allow for demultiplexing and extinction enhancement via application of a control voltage modifying the propagation constant difference between adjacent waveguides. It is shown that optimal demultiplexing, i.e. low insertion loss and high extinction ratio between channels, requires optimization in dynamic operation because of the slow component of the switches’ response. Lastly, we demonstrate losses lower than 5 dB, extinction ratios of the order of 70 dB for a four-channel system and 50 dB for an eight-channel system, and jitter added by the demultiplexer smaller than 0.1 ps.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States). Lab. for Laser Energetics
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0001944
• OSTI ID: 1351528
• Journal Information: Journal of Lightwave Technology, Vol. 35, Issue 2; ISSN 0733-8724
• Publisher: IEEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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