80-GB all-optical serial-to-parallel convertor for QPSK signal based on cascaded phase modulators and optical f ilters

Abstract

An all-optical serial-to-parallel converter (SPC) utilizing two cascaded phase modulators and optical band-pass filters (OBPFs) is experimentally investigated and applied to demultiplex an 80-GBd optical time-division multiplexing (OTDM) return-to-zero (RZ) differential quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) signal. Two 40-GBd OTDM tributaries are error-free demultiplexed with a power penalty of approximately 4 dB in the worst case. With its advantages of compact structure, high speed, low power penalty, simultaneous two-tributary operation, and no assistance from a light source, the SPC has potential for use in future OTDM networks. However, the performance of the SPC still needs improvement.