Abstract
We propose and demonstrate a simple method for the full characterization
of an ultrashort optical pulse based on temporal interferometry, using an
unbalanced temporal pulse shaping (UB-TPS) system. The UB-TPS system
consists of a Mach–Zehnder modulator and two dispersive elements
(DEs) having opposite dispersion, but nonidentical in magnitude. The entire
system can be considered as a typical balanced TPS system for a real-time
Fourier transformation to generate two time-delayed replicas of the input
optical pulse, followed by a residual DE to perform a second real-time
Fourier transformation to convert the two time-delayed pulse replicas to two
frequency-sheared optical spectra. The spectral interferometry is performed
in the time domain. The spectral magnitude and phase information of the
input optical pulse is accurately and unambiguously reconstructed from the
recorded temporal interference pattern based on a Fourier transform
algorithm. Compared with a conventional pulse characterization system based
on linear interferometric measurement using an optical interferometer
implemented by using discrete components, the proposed system features
better stability, higher adaptability, and single-shot measurement. The use
of the proposed system for the characterization of a femtosecond pulse
before and after passing through a 60-m-long single-mode fiber is
experimentally demonstrated.
© 2011 IEEE
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