Abstract

The optical parametric amplifier (OPA) has attractive features for optical communications, such as a wideband, high gain, and fast transient response. In addition, by using idler light, which is phase-conjugated light generated in the amplification process, various kinds of optical signal processing, such as fiber-nonlinearity mitigation, wavelength conversion, and phase-sensitive amplification, can be performed. A periodically poled LiNbO₃ (PPLN) waveguide is an χ⁽²⁾-based optical parametric amplification medium, and it makes both wideband and high-gain amplification possible. We developed a 4-port PPLN module that can combine signal light and pump light into a PPLN waveguide with low loss. In this paper, we overview the applications of OPA to WDM optical fiber transmission and explain the configurations of an OPA using 4-port PPLN modules. As applications of our PPLN-based OPA, we introduce the demonstration of wideband inline amplification exceeding 5 THz. Furthermore, we demonstrate inter-band wavelength conversion between C- and S-bands using PPLN waveguides developed for multi-band optical transmission applications.

Ultra-wideband and high-gain parametric amplification in telecom wavelengths with an optimally mode-matched PPLN waveguide

Yong Meng Sua, Jia-Yang Chen, and Yu-Ping Huang
Opt. Lett. 43(12) 2965-2968 (2018)

Transmission of signal and idler using optical parametric amplifier based on PPLN waveguide

Masaki Asobe, Ndadi Wanifeni, Takushi Kazama, Koji Enbutsu, and Takeshi Umeki
Opt. Express 32(5) 8437-8446 (2024)

Over-30-dB gain and 1-dB noise figure phase-sensitive amplification using a pump-combiner-integrated fiber I/O PPLN module

Takushi Kazama, Takeshi Umeki, Shimpei Shimizu, Takahiro Kashiwazaki, Koji Enbutsu, Ryoichi Kasahara, Yutaka Miyamoto, and Kei Watanabe
Opt. Express 29(18) 28824-28834 (2021)

First demonstration of high-order QAM signal amplification in PPLN-based phase sensitive amplifier

T. Umeki, O. Tadanaga, M. Asobe, Y. Miyamoto, and H. Takenouchi
Opt. Express 22(3) 2473-2482 (2014)

Broadband optical parametric amplification using PPLN waveguide pumped by detuned second harmonic

Masaki Asobe, Daiki Yagi, Yuki Kawabata, Takeshi Umeki, Koji Enbutsu, Takushi Kazama, and Ryoichi Kasahara
Opt. Express 30(6) 9473-9481 (2022)