Multifunctional Wavelength-Selective Switch for Nyquist Pulse Generation and Multiplexing

Abstract

We demonstrate optical Nyquist pulse train generation using a wavelength-selective switch (WSS) without an optical multiplexing circuit. The representative approach generating optical Nyquist pulse trains is based on spectral filtering with a WSS and optical time-domain multiplexing (OTDM) with an optical circuit. The use of the optical circuit causes difficulties when extending optical Nyquist pulse train technology to the near-infrared band because this band has no well-established OTDM modules. To resolve this problem, we assign the role of multiplexing to the WSS, in addition to spectral filtering. Furthermore, the WSS-only approach is expected to reduce optical losses and increase pulse-train parameter flexibility. Using only the WSS, we successfully generate optical Nyquist pulse trains in the near-infrared band and realize flexible control of pulse number, width, and interval. In the case of a 10-pulse train, optical loss due to multiplexing is improved by 8.0 dB compared with the conventional method.