Programmable fiber-based picosecond optical pulse shaper using time-domain binary phase-only linear filtering

Abstract

We demonstrate a fiber-based programmable arbitrary picosecond optical pulse shaper using binary phase-only linear filtering. The reconfigurable filtering operation is implemented in the time domain using an electro-optical phase modulator driven by a high-speed bit pattern generator. The required binary phase code is designed using a genetic algorithm. Precise matching between the predispersive and postdispersive media in the system is achieved by use of a single linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating subsequently operated from its two input ends. As a proof of concept, different pulse waveforms of practical interest are generated using this new pulse shaper.