Optical single sideband modulation with tunable optical carrier-to-sideband ratio using a modulator in a Sagnac loop. (1st June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Beilei; Wang, Muguang; Tang, Yu; Sun, Jian; Zhang, Jing; Yan, Fengping; Jian, Shuisheng
• Is Part Of: Optics & laser technology. Volume 91(2017)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2017-06-01
• Subjects: OSSB modulation -- Modulator -- Sagnac Loop -- Tunable OCSR; Optics -- Periodicals; Lasers -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 621.366
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2016.12.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0030-3992

Abstract

Abstract: We propose and experimentally demonstrate a cost-effective approach to achieve optical single sideband (OSSB) modulation with tunable optical carrier-to-sideband ratio (OCSR) based on a bi-directional use of an OSSB modulator. The key concept of the proposed scheme is to use an OSSB modulator which is incorporated in a Sagnac loop where a light wave is modulated in the form of SSB modulation along the clock-wise direction while the orthogonal light is not modulated along the counter clock-wise direction due to the velocity mismatch. The signals along two directions are combined together at the output of the Sagnac loop via a polarization beam splitter (PBS). Thus a partial orthogonal SSB (PO-SSB) modulated signal is obtained. The generated signal is then sent into a polarization controller (PC) followed by a polarizer. An OSSB-modulated signal with tunable OCSR from −10 to 27 dB is achieved by adjusting the PC in the experiment. The proposed scheme is wavelength independent, which can support low microwave bandwidth and achieve flexible wavelength tunability. Highlights: An SSB-modulated signal with tunable OCSR from −10 to 27 dB is achieved. The scheme is cost-effective since only one commercial OSSB modulator is required. The method is wavelength-independent and can be used for low microwave frequency.