Abstract
A retroreflector array can be used to act as an optical tapped delay-line filter for temporal optical signals. Here, we demonstrate the basic operation and present a theoretical description. Our theory is based on the mathematical formalism for finite impulse response filters. A relationship to the classical Talbot bands experiment is established. By adding a mask to the retroreflector array, one can implement arbitrary filter operations. As a specific example, a differentiation in frequency domain is demonstrated by using a simple binary mask. The proposed devise maybe useful for the optical filtering and shaping of ultra short pulses.
Highlights
Ultra-short optical pulses with pulse widths in the fs-range are becoming increasingly important for a number of applications
L1 theory, these may be categorized into finite impulse response filters (AWG and double grating setup belong into this class) and infinite impulse response filters
We have described and demonstrated the use of a retroreflector array as a temporal filter
Summary
Ultra-short optical pulses with pulse widths in the fs-range are becoming increasingly important for a number of applications. An example is optical communications, both for long as well as short distances. For long-distance transmission fspulses may be used in time division and/or wavelength division multiplexing systems to enhance the transmission capacity. The ”frequency comb” has opened up new possibilities for such transmission systems [1]. E.g. optical interconnections for computers, the use of fs-pulses may help to optimize the performance of a data link [2]. The RA was fabricated in aluminum by ultraprecision micromachining. It consists of a periodic array of facets that form a right angle with each other. We will show how such an element can be used as an optical tapped delay-line
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