Experimental demonstration of optical single sideband signal generation based on multi-frequency phase modulation in optical fibers

Abstract

We theoretically analyzed and experimentally demonstrated the feasibility of optical single sideband (OSSB) signal generation based on multi-frequency phase modulation. The numerically calculated results show that OSSB signal can be efficiently generated with the proposed method. Optical carrier suppression ratio (OCSR), optical sideband suppression ratio (OSSR) and energy efficiency (EF) of the modulated optical signal increase with the quantity of harmonic waves in the modulation signal. In a principle verifying experiment, 6 frequency phase modulation was carried out with a narrow line-width fiber laser and a LiNbO3 electro-optic phase modulator. The fundamental frequency of the modulation signal was controlled to 30 MHz. OCSR of 18.9 dB, OSSR of 14.1 dB and EF of 78% were obtained, respectively. The experimental results agree well with the numerically calculated results. The proposed scheme provides an effective way to generate an OSSB signal for optical communication or optical sensing systems.