Demonstration of all-optical RZ-to-NRZ format conversion based on self phase modulation in a dispersion flattened highly nonlinear photonic crystal fiber

• Published in: Optics and laser technology Vol. 54; pp. 7 - 14
• Main Authors: Hui, Zhan-qiang, Gong, Jia-min, Liang, Meng, Zhang, Mei-zhi, Wu, Hui-min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 30.12.2013
• Subjects: Format conversion; Photonic crystal fiber; Self-phase modulation; Photonic crystal fiber; Format conversion; Self-phase modulation
• ISSN: 0030-3992; 1879-2545
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2013.04.028

We propose a novel all-optical format conversion scheme from the return-to-zero (RZ) to non-return-to-zero (NRZ) based on a single dispersion-flattened highly nonlinear photonic crystal fiber (DF-HNL-PCF) and an optical band-pass filter (OBPF). The polarity-preserved, 30Gbit/s RZ-to-NRZ format conversion with Q factor and extinction ration (ER) of 6.57 and 16.06dB is demonstrated by exploiting self-phase modulation (SPM) induced spectral broadening together with subsequent spectral tailoring in the DF-HNL-PCF. The experiments are carried out to investigate the wavelength tunability and the dynamic characteristics of the newly designed PCF-based format converter. Our results show that the designed format converter has a wide operating wavelength range of 24nm and higher tolerance to input signal power fluctuation. This is very useful and attractive for engineering applications of optical-fiber-based RZ-to-NRZ format converter in future ultra-high speed photonic networks. •All-optical format converter from RZ to NRZ based on single PCF is demonstrated.•The 30Gbit/s format conversion with Q factor and ER of 6.57 and 16.06dB is achieved.•Dynamics characteristics of the designed format converter is investigated.