Variable optical true-time delay line breaking bandwidth-delay constraints

Continuously variable true-time optical delay lines are typically subject to a constraint of the bandwidth-delay product, limiting their use in several applications. In this Letter, we propose an integrated topology that breaks the bandwidth-delay product limit. The device is based on multiple Mach-...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inOptics letters Vol. 48; no. 2; p. 460
Main Authors Petrini, Matteo, Seyedinnavadeh, Seyedmohammad, Grimaldi, Vittorio, Milanizadeh, Maziyar, Zanetto, Francesco, Ferrari, Giorgio, Morichetti, Francesco, Melloni, Andrea
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 15.01.2023
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Continuously variable true-time optical delay lines are typically subject to a constraint of the bandwidth-delay product, limiting their use in several applications. In this Letter, we propose an integrated topology that breaks the bandwidth-delay product limit. The device is based on multiple Mach-Zehnder Interferometers (MZIs) arranged in parallel, providing easier control and a larger bandwidth compared to ring resonator-based solutions. The functionality of this architecture is demonstrated with a 4-stage delay line by performing measurements in both the time and frequency domains. The delay line introduces a delay of 90 ps over a bandwidth of more than 22 GHz with a negligible group delay distortion, operates on a wavelength range of about 60 nm, and is scalable to a higher number of MZI stages.
ISSN:1539-4794
DOI:10.1364/OL.478102