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Optical frequency comb generation based on three parallel Mach–Zehnder modulators with recirculating frequency shifting loop

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Abstract

We theoretically and numerically study an approach for optical frequency comb (OFC) generation, by utilizing recirculating frequency shifting (RFS) loop based on three parallel Mach–Zehnder modulators (MZMs). Our results show that three parallel MZMs can generate a single-side-band (SSB) signal with 36 dB optical carrier suppression (OCS) ratio. Furthermore, the 60-tone OFC signal with 30 dB side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) and 4 dB maximum power fluctuation is achieved, and 20 of the OFC signal possess the power fluctuation of less than 1 dB. Our approach provides a novel way of generating OFC with excellent SMSR and good power fluctuation.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 61231012, and National advanced Research Foundation of China under Grant 9140C530202150C53002 and 9140C530202140C53011.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Information and Navigation College, Air Force Engineering University, Xi’an, 710077, China

    Wei Jiang & Shanghong Zhao

  2. National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology On Space Microwave, Xi’an, 710100, China

    Wei Jiang, Xiaojun Li & Qinggui Tan

Authors
  1. Wei Jiang
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  2. Shanghong Zhao
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  3. Xiaojun Li
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  4. Qinggui Tan
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Correspondence to Wei Jiang.

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Jiang, W., Zhao, S., Li, X. et al. Optical frequency comb generation based on three parallel Mach–Zehnder modulators with recirculating frequency shifting loop. Opt Rev 24, 533–539 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10043-017-0344-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10043-017-0344-9

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