All-incoherent wavelength conversion in highly nonlinear fiber using four-wave mixing

Abstract

This work describes efficient and polarization insensitive, all-incoherent four-wave mixing wavelength conversion achieved within a short length of highly nonlinear fiber medium, created by using both spectrally sliced pump and probe channels from a single-amplified spontaneous emission source coupled to two narrowband Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) filters. This simple and cost-effective scheme is capable of generating a down-converted probe channel across a 17.2-nm wavelength span, while still maintaining a high conversion efficiency of around −22 dB and an optical-signal-to-noise ratio of ∼21 dB. The effects of pump power, FBG detuning, and polarization are also reported.