Showing papers on "Single-mode optical fiber published in 2015"

2.15 Pb/s transmission using a 22 core homogeneous single-mode multi-core fiber and wideband optical comb

Abstract: We use a wideband optical comb source with 10THz bandwidth for 2.15 Pb/s transmission over 31km of a new, homogeneous 22-core single-mode multi-core fiber using 399 × 25GHz spaced, 6.468 Tb/s spatial-super-channels comprising 24.5GBaud PDM-64QAM modulation in each core.

Mode division multiplexing using an orbital angular momentum mode sorter and MIMO-DSP over a graded-index few-mode optical fibre

Abstract: Mode division multiplexing (MDM)- using a multimode optical fiber's N spatial modes as data channels to transmit N independent data streams - has received interest as it can potentially increase optical fiber data transmission capacity N-times with respect to single mode optical fibers. Two challenges of MDM are (1) designing mode (de)multiplexers with high mode selectivity (2) designing mode (de)multiplexers without cascaded beam splitting's 1/N insertion loss. One spatial mode basis that has received interest is that of orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes. In this paper, using a device referred to as an OAM mode sorter, we show that OAM modes can be (de)multiplexed over a multimode optical fiber with higher than -15 dB mode selectivity and without cascaded beam splitting's 1/N insertion loss. As a proof of concept, the OAM modes of the LP11 mode group (OAM-1,0 and OAM+1,0), each carrying 20-Gbit/s polarization division multiplexed and quadrature phase shift keyed data streams, are transmitted 5km over a graded-index, few-mode optical fibre. Channel crosstalk is mitigated using 4 × 4 multiple-input-multiple-output digital-signal-processing with <1.5 dB power penalties at a bit-error-rate of 2 × 10(-3).

Ultra-high sensitivity Fabry-Perot interferometer gas refractive index fiber sensor based on photonic crystal fiber and Vernier effect

Abstract: An ultra-high sensitivity open-cavity Fabry–Perot interferometer (FPI) gas refractive index (RI) sensor based on the photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and Vernier effect is proposed and demonstrated. The sensor is prepared by splicing a section of PCF to a section of fiber tube fused with a section of single mode fiber. The air holes running along the cladding of the PCF enable the gas to enter or leave the cavity freely. The reflection beam from the last end face of the PCF is used to generate the Vernier effect, which significantly improves the sensitivity of the sensor. Experimental results show that the proposed sensor can provide an ultra-high RI sensitivity of 30899 nm/RIU. This sensor has potential applications in fields such as gas concentration analyzing and humidity monitoring.

Controllable all-fiber orbital angular momentum mode converter.

Abstract: We present a scheme to realize a controllable, scalable, low-cost, and versatile all-fiber orbital angular momentum (OAM) converter. The converter consists of a two-mode fiber (TMF) with its input terminal welded with a single-mode fiber, a mechanical long-period grating (LPG), a mechanical rotator, metal flat slabs, and a fiber polarization controller. The LPG is employed to convert the fundamental fiber mode to higher-order modes and the flat slabs are used to stress the TMF to adjust the relative phase difference between two orthogonal higher-order modes. Selective conversion from the LP(01) mode to the LP(11a), LP(11b), OAM(-1), or OAM(+1) mode is demonstrated in the experiment.

Design, analysis, and transmission system performance of a 41 GHz silicon photonic modulator.

Abstract: The design and characterization of a slow-wave series push-pull traveling wave silicon photonic modulator is presented. At 2 V and 4 V reverse bias, the measured −3 dB electro-optic bandwidth of the modulator with an active length of 4 mm are 38 GHz and 41 GHz, respectively. Open eye diagrams are observed up to bitrates of 60 Gbps without any form of signal processing, and up to 70 Gbps with passive signal processing to compensate for the test equipment. With the use of multi-level amplitude modulation formats and digital-signal-processing, the modulator is shown to operate below a hard-decision forward error-correction threshold of 3.8×10−3 at bitrates up to 112 Gbps over 2 km of single mode optical fiber using PAM-4, and over 5 km of optical fiber with PAM-8. Energy consumed solely by the modulator is also estimated for different modulation cases.

Intensity modulated refractive index sensor based on optical fiber Michelson interferometer

Abstract: a b s t r a c t We demonstrated a refractive index (RI) sensor based on optical fiber Michelson interferometer (MI), which was fabricated by splicing a section of thin core fiber (TCF) to a standard single mode fiber with a core offset. Experimentally, such a MI-based RI sensor with a core offset of 8 m and a TCF length of 3 mm exhibits a high resolution of 4.9 × 10−6 RIU and sensitivity of −202.46 dB/RIU, which is two or three times higher than that of intensity-modulated RI sensors reported previously. In contrast, our MIbased RI sensor is insensitive to temperature, thus overcoming the cross-sensitivity problem between surrounding RI and temperature. Moreover, intensity modulation, rather than wavelength modulation, was used in the proposed MI-based RI sensor, and the sensor also has the advantages of compact size (8 mm), simple structure, easy fabrication, and good repeatability. © 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Optical rogue waves in integrable turbulence.

Abstract: We report optical experiments allowing us to investigate integrable turbulence in the focusing regime of the one-dimensional nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation (1D NLSE). In analogy with broad spectrum excitation of a one-dimensional water tank, we launch random initial waves in a single mode optical fiber. Using an original optical sampling setup, we measure precisely the probability density function of optical power of the partially coherent waves rapidly fluctuating with time. The probability density function is found to evolve from the normal law to a strong heavy-tailed distribution, thus revealing the formation of rogue waves in integrable turbulence. Numerical simulations of 1D NLSE with stochastic initial conditions quantitatively reproduce the experiments. Our numerical investigations suggest that the statistical features experimentally observed rely on the stochastic generation of coherent analytic solutions of 1D NLSE.

Passively mode-locked fiber laser by a cell-type WS2 nanosheets saturable absorber.

Abstract: A cell-type saturable absorber has been demonstrated by filling the single mode photonic crystal fiber (SMPCF) with tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanosheets. The modulation depth, saturable intensity and non-saturable loss of this SA are measured to be 3.53%, 159 MW/cm2 and 23.2%, respectively. Based on this SA, a passively mode-locked EDF laser has been achieved with pulse duration of 808 fs and repetition rate of 19.57 MHz and signal-noise-ratio (SNR) of 60.5 dB. Our results demonstrate that the cell-type WS2 nanosheets SA can serve as a good candidate for short-pulse mode locker.

Simultaneous measurement of pressure and temperature by employing Fabry-Perot interferometer based on pendant polymer droplet

Abstract: We investigated a novel and ultracompact polymer-capped Fabry-Perot interferometer, which is based on a polymer capped on the endface of a single mode fiber (SMF). The proposed Fabry-Perot interferometer has advantages of easy fabrication, low cost, and high sensitivity. The variation of the Fabry-Perot cavity length can be easily controlled by using the motors of a normal arc fusion splicer. Moreover, the enhanced mechanical strength of the Fabry-Perot interferometer makes it suitable for high sensitivity pressure and temperature sensing in harsh environments. The proposed interferometer exhibits a wavelength shift of the interference fringes that corresponds to a temperature sensitivity of 249 pm/°C and a pressure sensitivity of 1130 pm/MPa, respectively, around the wavelength of 1560 nm.

Few-mode fiber based optical sensors

Abstract: Few-mode fibers (FMFs) have found applications in optical communications and sensors with attractive features that standard single mode fiber (SSMF) do not possess. We report our recent progress on FMF based optical sensors, and show the potential of utilizing the spatial dimension for multi-parameter sensing with discrimination capability. We first show a discrete type FMF sensor based on interferometer structure with a short FMF, utilizing the modal interference between either the polarizations (x and y) or the spatial modes (LP(01) and LP(11)). We then show a distributed type FMF sensor by generating the stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a long FMF. We characterize the Brillouin gain spectrum (BGS) with a pump-probe configuration, and measure the temperature and strain coefficients for LP(01) and LP(11) modes. The proposed FMF based optical sensor can be applied to sensing a wide range of parameters.

1.3 kW monolithic linearly polarized single-mode master oscillator power amplifier and strategies for mitigating mode instabilities

Abstract: We report on the high-power amplification of a 1064 nm linearly polarized laser in an all-fiber polarization-maintained master oscillator power amplifier, which can operate at an output power level of 1.3 kW. The beam quality (M2) was measured to be <1.2 at full power operation. The polarization extinction rate of the fiber amplifier was measured to be above 94% before mode instabilities (MIs) set in, which reduced to about 90% after the onset of MI. The power scaling capability of strategies for suppressing MI is analyzed based on a semianalytical model, the theoretical results of which agree with the experimental results. It shows that mitigating MI by coiling the gain fiber is an effective and practical method in standard double-cladding large mode area fiber, and, by tight coiling of the gain fiber to the radius of 5.5 cm, the MI threshold can be increased to three times higher than that without coiling or loose coiling. Experimental studies have been carried out to verify the idea, which has proved that MI was suppressed successfully in the amplifier by proper coiling.

Polarization Maintaining Single-Mode Low-Loss Hollow-Core Fiber

Abstract: A hollow core fiber exhibiting selective birefringence is provided. The selective birefringence is induced by harnessing properties of surface modes that cause transmission loss and are otherwise considered as detrimental. Birefringence and signal loss in a preferred polarization state are engineered by fabricating an asymmetrical web structure surrounding the core. In one implementation the asymmetry in the web structure is induced by a thicker core web preferably at the core inner cladding interface, by selectively introducing defect cells at the hollow core inner cladding interface. The hollow core fiber further includes shunt cores to facilitate near single-mode transmission by additionally using intermittent bend-induced index matching to resonantly couple unwanted core modes including one or more, higher order modes to shunt modes. In another aspect of the invention asymmetrical web structure is applied to induce controlled birefringence in a PRISM fiber to achieve near single-moded, single-polarization state transmission.

Hybrid Silicon Photonic Circuits and Transceiver for 50 Gb/s NRZ Transmission Over Single-Mode Fiber

Abstract: This paper presents a 50 Gb/s per lane hybrid BiCMOS and silicon photonic integrated circuit for use in fiber optic communications. Fine pitch copper pillars are used to integrate electronics and silicon photonics. The resulting device demonstrates the generation and detection of up to 56 Gb/s NRZ optical signals over 2-km standard single-mode fiber at 1310-nm wavelength. At 40 Gb/s, the link operates error free, and at 56 Gb/s well below KR4 RS-FEC operating BER. The power dissipation of TX including CW laser is 600 mW (450-mW driver, 150-mW CW laser), RX is 150 mW, resulting in total per channel of less than 750 mW.

Temperature-Insensitive Mode Converters With CO 2 -Laser Written Long-Period Fiber Gratings

Abstract: We fabricate mode converters by directly writing long-period gratings in a two-mode fiber with a CO2 laser. These mode converters allow the fundamental LP01 mode to be converted to any of the four higher order cylindrical vector modes or the LP11 modes. The transmission characteristics of these devices are insensitive to temperature variations and the mode conversion efficiency is insensitive to the polarization state of the input light. One of our typical gratings, which contains 15 grating periods, can provide a conversion efficiency >99% over a bandwidth of 34.0 nm in the C-band. These robust mode converters could find applications in mode-division-multiplexing systems and other applications that require cylindrical vector modes.

Sub-90 fs a stretched-pulse mode-locked fiber laser based on a graphene saturable absorber.

Abstract: In this paper a stretched-pulse, mode-locked Er-doped fiber laser based on graphene saturable absorber (SA) is presented. A 60 layer graphene/polymer composite was used as a SA. The all-fiber dispersion managed laser resonator with the repetition frequency of 21.15 MHz allows for Gaussian pulses generation with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 48 nm. The generated chirped pulses were compressed outside the cavity to the 88 fs using a piece of standard single mode fiber. The average output power and pulse energy were of 1.5 mW and 71 pJ, respectively.

Refractive index sensing based on photonic crystal fiber interferometer structure with up-tapered joints

Abstract: A simple, ultra compact and highly sensitive photonic crystal fiber interferometer (PCFI) for external refractive index (ERI) sensing was proposed and demonstrated in this paper. The PCFI was formed by splicing photonic crystal fiber (PCF) between two single mode fibers (SMFs) with a slight core-offset. The both joints were up-tapered joints which acted as mode splitter/combiner and were made by fusion tapering technique. The Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) incorporated intermodal interference between core mode and cladding modes of the PCF. When the ERI changed, a RI variation of cladding modes would occur and the output interference spectrum would shift. By measuring the wavelength shift of the interference pattern, temperature-insensitive RI measurement could be achieved. In addition, the refractive index sensing properties with the different PCF diameters were also investigated experimentally. Experimental results showed that RI sensitivity could be up to 252 nm/RIU in the refractive index range of 1.333–1.379. And it could be anticipated that RI sensitivity could be improved if the PCF diameter continues to decrease. Meanwhile, the sensor had the advantages of simple structure, small size, high sensitivity, low cost and low temperature sensitivity.

Design of eight-mode polarization-maintaining few-mode fiber for multiple-input multiple-output-free spatial division multiplexing.

Abstract: We propose a polarization-maintaining few-mode fiber (FMF) that features an elliptical ring shaped core with a high refractive index contrast ∼0.03 between the core and the cladding. This fiber design alleviates the usual trade-off between the number of guided modes and the achievable birefringence that is usually observed in conventional elliptical-core FMFs. Through numerical simulations, we show that this fiber design can support up to 10 guided vector modes over the entire C band while providing large birefringence. Except for the two fundamental modes, the eight higher-order vector modes are all separated from their adjacent modes by effective index differences >10⁻⁴, which is the typical birefringence value of single-mode polarization maintaining fibers. The designed fiber targets applications in spatial division multiplexing of optical channels, without multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) digital signal processing, for short-reach optical interconnects.

Flexible terabit/s Nyquist-WDM super-channels using a gain-switched comb source.

Abstract: Terabit/s super-channels are likely to become the standard for next-generation optical networks and optical interconnects. A particularly promising approach exploits optical frequency combs for super-channel generation. We show that injection locking of a gain-switched laser diode can be used to generate frequency combs that are particularly well suited for terabit/s super-channel transmission. This approach stands out due to its extraordinary stability and flexibility in tuning both center wavelength and line spacing. We perform a series of transmission experiments using different comb line spacings and modulation formats. Using 9 comb lines and 16QAM signaling, an aggregate line rate (net data rate) of 1.296 Tbit/s (1.109 Tbit/s) is achieved for transmission over 150 km of standard single mode fiber (SSMF) using a spectral bandwidth of 166.5 GHz, which corresponds to a (net) spectral efficiency of 7.8 bit/s/Hz (6.7 bit/s/Hz). The line rate (net data rate) can be boosted to 2.112 Tbit/s (1.867 Tbit/s) for transmission over 300 km of SSMF by using a bandwidth of 300 GHz and QPSK modulation on the weaker carriers. For the reported net data rates and spectral efficiencies, we assume a variable overhead of either 7% or 20% for forward- error correction depending on the individual sub-channel quality after fiber transmission.

Optical fiber design with orbital angular momentum light purity higher than 99.9.

Abstract: The purity of the synthesized orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) light in the fiber is inversely proportional to channel crosstalk level in the OAM optical fiber communication system. Here the relationship between the fiber structure and the purity is firstly demonstrated in theory. The graded-index optical fiber is proposed and designed for the OAM light propagation with the purity higher than 99.9%. 16 fiber modes (10 OAM modes) have been supported by a specific designed graded-index optical fiber with dispersion less than 35 ps/(km∙nm). Such fiber design has suppressed the intrinsic crosstalk to be lower than -30 dB, and can be potentially used for the long distance OAM optical communication system.

Heterogeneously integrated long-wavelength VCSEL using silicon high contrast grating on an SOI substrate

Abstract: We report an electrically pumped hybrid cavity AlGaInAs-silicon long-wavelength VCSEL using a high contrast grating (HCG) reflector on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The VCSEL operates at silicon transparent wavelengths ~1.57 μm with >1 mW CW power outcoupled from the semiconductor DBR, and single-mode operation up to 65 °C. The thermal resistance of our device is measured to be 1.46 K/mW. We demonstrate >2.5 GHz 3-dB direct modulation bandwidth, and show error-free transmission over 2.5 km single mode fiber under 5 Gb/s direct modulation. We show a theoretical design of SOI-HCG serving both as a VCSEL reflector as well as waveguide coupler for an in-plane SOI waveguide, facilitating integration of VCSEL with in-plane silicon photonic circuits. The novel HCG-VCSEL design, which employs scalable flip-chip eutectic bonding, may enable low cost light sources for integrated optical links.

Fiber-tip gas pressure sensor based on dual capillaries

Abstract: A micro-cavity fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer based on dual capillaries is proposed and demonstrated for gas pressure measurement. Such a device is fabricated by fusion splicing of a tiny segment of a main-capillary with a feeding-capillary on one end, and a single mode fiber on the other, to allow gas enters the main-capillary via the feeding-capillary. The reflection spectrum of the interferometer device shifts with the variation of gas pressure due to the dependence of gas refractive index on the pressure applied. During the device fabrication process, a core-offset fusion splicing method is adopted, which turns out to be highly effective for reducing the detection limit of the sensor. The experimental results obtained show that the proposed device exhibits a high gas pressure sensitivity of 4147 pm/MPa, a low temperature cross-sensitivity of less than 0.3 KPa/°C at atmospheric pressure, and an excellently low detection limit down to ~4.81 KPa. The robust tip structure, ultra-compact device size and ease of fabrication make the device an attractive candidate for reliable and highly sensitive gas pressure measurement in a precise location.

Linearly polarized random fiber laser with ultimate efficiency.

Abstract: Linearly polarized pumping of a random fiber laser made of a 500-m PM fiber with PM fiber-loop mirror at one fiber end results in generation of linearly polarized radiation at 1.11 μm with the polarization extinction ratio as high as 25 dB at the output power of up to 9.4 W. The absolute optical efficiency of pump-to-Stokes wave conversion reaches 87%, which is close to the quantum limit and sets a record for Raman fiber lasers with random distributed feedback and with a linear cavity as well. Herewith, the output linewidth at high powers tends to saturation at a level of 1.8 nm.

Novel Knob-integrated fiber Bragg grating sensor with polyvinyl alcohol coating for simultaneous relative humidity and temperature measurement.

Abstract: A novel high performance optical fiber sensor for simultaneous measurement of relative humidity (RH) and temperature based on our newly designed knob-integrated fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The knob-shaped taper followed by an FBG works as a multifunctional joint that not only excites the cladding modes but also recouples the cladding modes reflected by the FBG back into the leading single mode fiber. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film is plated on the fiber surface by dip-coating technique as a humidity-to-refractive index (RI) transducer, and affects the intensity of reflected cladding modes by way of evanescent fields. By monitoring the intensity and wavelength of the reflected cladding modes, the RH and temperature variance can be determined simultaneously. Experimental results show an RH sensitivity of up to 1.2 dB/%RH within an RH range of 30-95%, which is significantly better than previously reported values. And the temperature sensitivity of 8.2 pm/°Ccould be achieved in the temperature range of 25-60°C. A fast and reversible time response has also been demonstrated, enabling to pick up a humidity change as fast as 630 ms. The capability of simultaneous measurement of RH and temperature, the fast response, the reusability and the simple fabrication process make this structure a highly promising sensor for real-time practical RH monitoring applications.

Cladding waveguide gratings in standard single-mode fiber for 3D shape sensing.

Abstract: Femtosecond laser pulses were used for the direct point-by-point inscription of waveguides into the cladding of standard single-mode fibers. Homogeneous S-shaped waveguides have been processed as a bundle of overlapping lines without damaging the surrounding material. Within these structures, FBGs have been successfully inscribed and characterized. A sensor device to measure the bending direction of a fiber was created by two perpendicular inscribed cladding waveguides with FBG. Finally, a complete 3D shape sensor consisting of several bending sensor planes, capable of detecting bending radii even below 2.5 cm is demonstrated.

Nano-displacement sensor based on photonic crystal fiber modal interferometer

Abstract: A stable nano-displacement sensor based on large mode area photonic crystal fiber (PCF) modal interferometer is presented. The compact setup requires simple splicing of a small piece of PCF with a single mode fiber (SMF). The excitation and recombination of modes is carried out in a single splice. The use of a reflecting target creates an extra cavity that discretizes the interference pattern of the mode interferometer, boosting the displacement resolution to nanometer level. The proposed modal interferometric based displacement sensor is highly stable and shows sensitivity of 32 pm/nm.

Bending sensor combining multicore fiber with a mode-selective photonic lantern

Abstract: A bending sensor is demonstrated using the combination of a mode-selective photonic lantern (PL) and a multicore fiber. A short section of three-core fiber with strongly coupled cores is used as the bend sensitive element. The supermodes of this fiber are highly sensitive to the refractive index profiles of the cores. Small bend-induced changes result in drastic changes of the supermodes, their excitation, and interference. The multicore fiber is spliced to a few-mode fiber and excites bend dependent amounts of each of the six linearly polarized (LP) modes guided in the few-mode fiber. A mode selective PL is then used to demultiplex the modes of the few-mode fiber. Relative power measurements at the single-mode PL output ports reveal a high sensitivity to bending curvature and differential power distributions according to bending direction, without the need for spectral measurements. High direction sensitivity is demonstrated experimentally as well as in numerical simulations. Relative power shifts of up to 80% have been measured at radii of approximately 20 cm, and good sensitivity was observed with radii as large as 10 m, making this sensing system useful for applications requiring both large and small curvature measurements.

A highly sensitive Mach–Zehnder interferometric refractive index sensor based on core-offset single mode fiber

Abstract: A highly sensitive refractive index (RI) sensor based on all-fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) was simulated and demonstrated. It was fabricated by splicing a section of single mode fiber (SMF) between two SMFs with a slight core offset at two splicing joints, which were used to excite cladding modes and couple the core mode to cladding modes. And then the interference between the core and cladding modes was utilized to measure sounding RI and the sensitivity of the sensor was enhanced by tapering fiber. Experimental results showed that the measured RI sensitivity could be up to 78.7 nm/RIU in the range of 1.333–1.374. Meanwhile, the sensor has the advantages of simple structure, small size, high sensitivity and low cost.