Abstract

Second-order nonlinear optical effects allow extension of the coherent emission wavelengths to regions where laser lines are not readily available. Parametric amplifications and different frequency generations in the 1.5-μm band are of special interest for optical communications applications.¹ Wavelength conversion by difference frequency generation^2–4 allows transfer of both amplitude and frequency information without adding excess noise or distortion. This makes parametric wavelength converters unique in accommodating signals of various formats and protocols, particularly useful for transparent WDM network applications. We discuss polarization-independent and multichannel DFG wavelength conversion in AlGaAs waveguides.

© 1996 Optical Society of America