Simulation analysis of an improved optical triangular-shaped pulse train generator based on quadrupling RF modulation incorporating fiber dispersion-induced power fading

Abstract

We report an improved approach to generate optical triangular-shaped pulse train using quadrupling RF modulation and fiber dispersion-induced power fading. In the proposal, quadrupling RF modulation (via a dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulator) is employed to generate four primary optical sidebands (±2nd and ±6th) in spectrum. Then a piece of single mode fiber is connected as the dispersive media. Because of the power degradation induced by fiber dispersion, the undesired 8th order harmonic in optical intensity can be removed. It is found that when the modulation index is adjusted to a proper value (m=4.438), optical intensity with its expression corresponding to the Fourier expansion of idea triangular-shaped waveform can be found. Since the quadrupling RF modulation technique is employed, repetition rate of the target pulse train is four times of the driving frequency, which makes pulse train generation with higher repetition rate or smaller pulse duration possible.