Optical Modulation Technique Research Articles

Point-to-multipoint beam-steering terahertz communications using a photonics-based leaky-wave transmit antenna

Abstract We report on the successful implementation of a photonic-based beam steering approach for point-to-multipoint terahertz (THz) communications. The frequency-agile radiation properties of a THz leaky-wave antenna connected to a photodiode are utilized in the remote transmitter for generating multiple individually steerable THz beams. The approach benefits from the ultra-wide frequency tunability of optical heterodyne systems for frequency-agile THz beam steering. Moreover, the approach allows to exploit high performance and mature optical modulation techniques for generating THz beams with a high data capacity. In the THz receiver, a carrier frequency insensitive envelope THz detector based upon a single Schottky-barrier diode is used. In detail, THz communications in the 300 GHz band (WR3.4) with a maximum steering angle up to 90° is reported. Experimentally, for single steerable THz beam operation, a record high data rate of 35 Gbit/s at a wireless distance of 30 cm is achieved using two-level pulse amplitude modulation. Also, longer wireless distances up to 110 cm with 5 Gbit/s are demonstrated. Furthermore, point-to-multipoint THz communications is reported using two individually steerable THz beams carrying 10 Gbit/s and 5 Gbit/s over 70 cm and 50 cm, respectively.

Dual-mode 1 × 2 optical switch with simultaneous modulation based on inverse design devices

Abstract Mode division multiplexing (MDM) technology, based on the parallelism inherent in mode dimensions, provides an advancement in enhancing on-chip optical communication channel capacity. In MDM communication systems, the routing and switching of optical signals are of essential importance. However, conventional multimode optical switches typically follow the demultiplexing-processing-multiplexing technological route, leading to an unavoidable increase in device size. In scenarios where multiple modes need to be routed synchronously, the implementation of simultaneous modulation optical switches offers a more efficient and feasible solution. Here, we propose two 1×2 dual-mode optical switches with simultaneous modulation on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform in the 1525-1565 nm wavelength range, utilizing two optical phase modulation techniques: mode transformation and waveguide widening. Simultaneously, we employ inverse design methodologies based on the adjoint variable method (AVM) and level-set method to create the compact single-connected devices, which are compatible with CMOS fabrication processes. The experimental results show that the insertion losses for both TE0 and TE1 modes are less than 1.6 dB (2.5 dB), with the worst modal crosstalk at most -13.5 dB (-12.7 dB) for the switch based on mode transformation (waveguide widening) strategy at the wavelength of 1550nm. The extinction ratio (ER) of the two proposed optical switches exceeds 25 dB at the same wavelength. Furthermore, the switches exhibit a 10%-90% rise time of 15.2 μs and a 90%-10% fall time of 19.5 μs at 1550 nm, indicating the switching speed can be up to kilohertz (kHz). Our proposed 1×2 optical switches hold potential as a fundamental unit for optical signal switching in high-integration multimode optical communication systems.

Al nanowire-embedded silicon for broadband optical modulation: Forming mechanism and optical performance

In recent decades, silicon has been widely used in light regulation devices, owing to its wideband high refractive index and low dispersion. To meet the increasing demands for various applications, optical modulation techniques appear of great potential to enhance the optical performance of Si-based devices. However, challenges still remain in achieving precise control over the band structure and resonance modes without introducing complex artificial structures. In this study, a composite film composed of silicon embedded with high fraction aluminum nanowires was developed by magnetron sputtering. It was revealed that the formation of aluminum nanowires was attributed to the spontaneous phase separation between silicon and aluminum, which was strongly dependent on the filling fraction and surface diffusion length of the aluminum during the co-sputtering process. The composite microstructure was precisely regulated by manipulating adatom diffusion and reevaporation through ion bombardment, thereby modifying its broadband optical properties. Moreover, exceptional electromagnetic properties were achieved by incorporating aluminum nanowires into silicon, as evidenced by the metallic behaviors in the short-wavelength regime and dielectric properties in the infrared spectrum range.

Photocatalytic manipulation of Ca2+ signaling for regulating cellular and animal behaviors via MOF-enabled H2O2 generation.

The in situ generation of H2O2 in cells in response to external stimulation has exceptional advantages in modulating intracellular Ca2+ dynamics, including high controllability and biological safety, but has been rarely explored. Here, we develop photocatalyst-based metal-organic frameworks (DCSA-MOFs) to modulate Ca2+ responses in cells, multicellular spheroids, and organs. By virtue of the efficient photocatalytic oxygen reduction to H2O2 without sacrificial agents, photoexcited DCSA-MOFs can rapidly trigger Ca2+ outflow from the endoplasmic reticulum with single-cell precision in a repeatable and controllable manner, enabling the propagation of intercellular Ca2+ waves (ICW) over long distances in two-dimensional and three-dimensional cell cultures. After photoexcitation, ICWs induced by DCSA-MOFs can activate neural activities in the optical tectum of tadpoles and thighs of spinal frogs, eliciting the corresponding motor behaviors. Our study offers a versatile optical nongenetic modulation technique that enables remote, repeatable, and controlled manipulation of cellular and animal behaviors.

An inorganic liquid crystalline dispersion with 2D ferroelectric moieties.

Electro-optical effect-based liquid crystal devices have been extensively used in optical modulation techniques, in which the Kerr coefficient reflects the sensitivity of the liquid crystals and determines the strength of the device's operational electric field. The Peterlin-Stuart theory and the O'Konski model jointly indicate that a giant Kerr coefficient could be obtained in a material with both a large geometrical anisotropy and an intrinsic polarization, but such a material is not yet reported. Here we reveal a ferroelectric effect in a monolayer two-dimensional mineral vermiculite. A large geometrical anisotropy factor and a large inherent electric dipole together raise the record value of Kerr coefficient by an order of magnitude, till 3.0×10-4mV-2. This finding enables an ultra-low operational electric field of 102-104Vm-1 and the fabrication of electro-optical devices with an inch-level electrode separation, which has not previously been practical. Because of its high ultraviolet stability (decay <1% under ultraviolet exposure for 1000 hours), large-scale production, and energy efficiency, prototypical displayable billboards have been fabricated for outdoor interactive scenes. This work provides new insights for both liquid crystal optics and two-dimensional ferroelectrics.

Long distance QKD propagation using optical single sideband scheme

Implementation of the passive radio over-fiber technique permits modulating the low-frequency sub-carrier onto an optical channel for dissemination through a light-wave fiber network. Single-sideband modulation for optical signals allows the impressive utilization of channel capacity in optical fiber. Dispersion reduction techniques limit the pulse spreading of a propagated signal in any photonic scheme. To control pulse-spreading effects, the optical single-sideband modulation technique at different phase shifts is modeled, analyzed, and compared to examine the performance of a sub-carrier multiplexing system. Hence, in this paper, a quantum key distribution network using a single sideband modulation technique based on a Li-Nb Mach-Zehnder modulator has been proposed at different electrical phase shifts. In this suggested model, the Optisystem 14.2 simulator is used to analyze the nonlinear characteristics. We have designed a single-sideband contour reduction and amplification with each couplet of 120 km by increasing the distance up to 720 km, and the phase between quantum states is determined. The system performance of the suggested model is investigated and compared based on output power (dBm), quality factor, eye diagram, bit error rate (BER), extinction ratio (ER), and optical spectrum of the received signal by varying link distance (km), channel spacing (nm), input power (dBm), and fiber dispersion (ps/ns/km).

Metasurfaces toward Optical Manipulation Technologies for Quantum Precision Measurement

AbstractMetasurface‐based optical field manipulation has significantly broadened the application range of micro‐optical components and integrated optics, gradually replacing bulky and complicated optical components. With the continuous development of micro and nano processing technology as well as computational analysis technology, metasurfaces have progressively shown their superior application prospects. After demonstrating tremendous results in classical optical applications, their application range has now extended to the field of quantum sensing. Due to their unique properties, such as small planar size, easy integration, flexible performance design, and tunable functionality, they have opened up a series of novel and rich applications for generating, manipulating, controlling, and detecting optical fields. In this paper, the basic principle and implementation of quantum measurement are presented and an overview of the design principles of metasurfaces, along with a summary of the latest advancements and potential applications of these surfaces in optical field modulation techniques for quantum precision measurement. Additionally, a thorough discussion and analysis of the challenges encountered by metasurfaces and their future development prospects is provided. Metasurfaces offer brand‐new opportunities for low‐cost, high‐performance, multifunctional miniaturized quantum sensors and are expected to play a significant role in the development of next‐generation quantum sensors.

Optical modulation of Iridium(III) complexes for enhanced ROS generation: Multi-photon absorption and near-infrared photodynamic therapy insights

In this study, we harness optical modulation techniques to tailor an auxiliary ligand, thereby optimizing the photophysical behavior of cyclometalated iridium (III) complexes, Ir–B and Ir-Q, for enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Intriguingly, the optical properties of Ir-Q's auxiliary ligands instigate a non-radiative intersystem crossover process, yielding a superior singlet oxygen (1O2) quantum efficiency of 0.92. Further, Ir-Q's robust multi-photon absorption spectra, particularly in the Two-photon (750–800 nm) and Three-photon (1350–1600 nm) domains, open avenues for potential applications in two-photon imaging-guided photodynamic therapy targeting deep-seated tumors. This investigation underscores the pivotal role of optical structure modulation in amplifying the therapeutic potential of the iridium(III) complex, particularly in the realm of near-infrared photodynamic therapy.

Dual-layer optical encryption fluorescent polymer waveguide chip based on optical pulse-code modulation technique

Information encryption technique has broad applications in individual privacy, military confidentiality, and national security, but traditional electronic encryption approaches are increasingly unable to satisfy the demands of strong safety and large bandwidth of high-speed data transmission over network. Optical encryption technology could be more flexible and effective in parallel programming and multiple degree-of-freedom data transmitting application. Here, we show a dual-layer optical encryption fluorescent polymer waveguide chip based on optical pulse-code modulation technique. Fluorescent oligomers were doped into epoxy cross-linking SU-8 polymer as a gain medium. Through modifying both the external pumping wavelength and operating frequency of the pulse-code modulation, the sender could ensure the transmission of vital information is secure. If the plaintext transmission is eavesdropped, the external pumping light will be switched, and the receiver will get warning commands of ciphertext information in the standby network. This technique is suitable for high-integration and high-scalability optical information encryption communications.

Observation of spin polarization modulation responses of injection-locked vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

We report on the modulation responses of an injection-locked vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) measured using an optical spin-polarization modulation technique. We reveal that weak injection locking is suitable to maintain a strong resonance response at a high-frequency region depending on the linear birefringence of the VCSEL, a unique feature of spin-polarization modulation response. The measured results can be reasonably reproduced with simulated ones on the basis of spin-flip rate equations. Our findings support novel applications of spin-controlled VCSELs with injection locking.

FPGA-Based Tactile Sensory Platform with Optical Fiber Data Link for Feedback Systems in Prosthetics

In this paper, we propose and validate a tactile sensory feedback system for prosthetic applications based on an optical communication link. The optical link features a low power and wide transmission bandwidth, which makes the feedback system suitable for a large number and variety of tactile sensors. The low-power transmission is derived from the employed UWB-based optical modulation technique. A system prototype, consisting of digital transmitter and receiver boards and acquisition circuits to interface 32 piezoelectric sensors, was implemented and experimentally tested. The system functionality was demonstrated by processing and transmitting data from the piezoelectric sensor at a 100 Mbps data rate through the optical link, measuring a communication energy consumption of 50 pJ/bit. The reported experimental results validate the functionality of the proposed sensory feedback system and demonstrate its real-time operation capabilities.

Deep learning based channel estimation optimization in VLC systems

This paper aims to improve the channel estimation (CE) in the indoor visible light communication system. The proposal of this paper deals with a system that depends on a comparison between Deep Neural Network (DNN), Yolo v3, and Kalman filter (KF) algorithm, for two optical modulation techniques; asymmetrically clipped optical-orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (ACO-OFDM) and direct current optical-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DCO-OFDM). The CE can be evaluated by the error rates in the received bits, where increased error means a performance decrease of the system and vice versa. Receiving less errors at the receiver indicates improved CE and system performance. Hence, the main aim of our work is to decrease the error rate by using different estimators. Furthermore, we apply automatic hyper-parameter approach and Bayesian optimization, to Yolo v3 model to improve the system performance and reduce the positioning error. The metric parameter of bit error rate (BER) aims to determine the improvement ratio in different systems. The model in this paper is based on training with OFDM samples of signal with labels which are received and are corresponding to the signals of OFDM. At a BER = 10−3 with DCO-OFDM, the DNN outperforms KF with 1.7 dB (8.09%) at the bit energy per noise (E_{b} {/}N_{o} ) axis. Also, for ACO-OFDM at BER = 10−3, the DNN achieves better results than KF by about 1.9 dB (11.8%) at the (E_{b} {/}N_{o} ){ } axis. For different values of M in QAM, the DNN outperforms KF for ACO-OFDM by average improvement of ~ 1.2 dB (~ 13%).

QCOB: a novel QPSK coherent optical OFDM modulation technique for mitigation of fiber impairments

Abstract Modern optical communication heavily relies on coherent optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CO-OFDM) modulation. But the usage of optical OFDM for fiber optic communication is still constrained in comparison to other modes of communication like visible light communication (VLC) and wireless communication due to a number of issues such as various sorts of fiber impairments including dispersion and attenuation. In this research paper, a novel optical OFDM modulation technique has been proposed. It is quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) CO-OFDM modulation with Bessel optical filter in fiber optical link and is named as QCOB. This modulation technique works for optical fiber transmission. Its testing has been carried out for parameters like bit error rate (BER) and quality-factor (Q-factor) over a range of fiber length, fiber dispersion coefficient and input power. This modulation employs coherent optical OFDM with QPSK for subcarrier modulation. The optical link utilizes a Bessel optical filter. Improved results have been achieved over conventional QPSK CO-OFDM (QCO). The obtained results demonstrate the superiority of the QCOB technique in terms of performance enhancement and fiber impairment reduction. In comparison to the QCO technique, the BER performance (reduction in BER) of the QCOB technique shows an improvement of around 7.4, 100, 14.4, 46.4 and 3.4% for dispersion coefficient values of 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100 (in ps/nm-km), respectively.

Mitigation of fiber impairments by developing a novel coherent optical 16-QAM OFDM modulation technique

Mitigation of fiber impairments by developing a novel coherent optical 16-QAM OFDM modulation technique

Generation of a high chirp rate microwave signal by using external optical modulation technique for RADAR application: theory and experiment

Generation of a high chirp rate microwave signal by using external optical modulation technique for RADAR application: theory and experiment

Enhanced deep learning based channel estimation for indoor VLC systems

This paper aims to improve the channel estimation (CE) in the indoor visible light communication (VLC) system. We propose a system that depends on a comparison between Deep Neural Networks (DNN) and Kalman Filter (KF) algorithm for two optical modulation techniques; asymmetrically clipped optical-orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (ACO-OFDM) and direct current optical-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DCO-OFDM). The channel estimation can be evaluated by changing the rate of errors in the received bits, where increased error means a performance decrease of the system and vice versa. Receiving less errors at the receiver indicates improved channel estimation and system performance. Thus, the main aim of our proposal is decreasing the error rate by using different estimators. Using the simulation results with the metric parameter of bit error rate (BER) aims to determine the improvement ratio between different systems. The proposed model is trained with OFDM signal samples with labels, where the labels represent the received signal after applying OFDM travelling across the medium. At a BER = 10–3 with DCO-OFDM, the DNN outperforms KF with 1.6 dB (7.6%) at the bit energy per noise ({{varvec{E}}}_{{varvec{b}}}/{{varvec{N}}}_{{varvec{o}}}) axis. Also, for ACO-OFDM at BER = 10–3, the DNN achieves better results than KF by about 1.3 dB (8.12%) at the ({{varvec{E}}}_{{varvec{b}}}/{{varvec{N}}}_{{varvec{o}}}). At different values of M in QAM, the DNN outperforms KF for ACO-OFDM by average improvement of ~ 1 dB (~ 11.5%).

Deep Learning-Aided OFDM-Based Generalized Optical Quadrature Spatial Modulation

In this paper, we propose an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based generalized optical quadrature spatial modulation (GOQSM) technique for multiple-input multiple-output optical wireless communication (MIMO-OWC) systems. Considering the error propagation and noise amplification effects when applying maximum likelihood and maximum ratio combining (ML-MRC)-based detection, we further propose a deep neural network (DNN)-aided detection for OFDM-based GOQSM systems. The proposed DNN-aided detection scheme performs the GOQSM detection in a joint manner, which can efficiently eliminate the adverse effects of both error propagation and noise amplification. The obtained simulation results successfully verify the superiority of the deep learning-aided OFDM-based GOQSM technique for high-speed MIMO-OWC systems.

Recent Trends in Underwater Visible Light Communication (UVLC) Systems

In recent years, underwater visible light communication (UVLC) has become a potential wireless carrier candidate for signal transmission in highly critical, unknown, and acrimonious water mediums such as oceans. Unfortunately, the oceans are the least explored reservoirs in oceanogeographical history. However, natural disasters have aroused significant interest in observing and monitoring oceanic environments for the last couple of decades. Therefore, UVLC has drawn attention as a reliable digital carrier and claims a futuristic optical media in the wireless communication domain. Counterparts of traditional communications, the green, clean, and safe UVLC support high capacity data-rate and bandwidth with minimal delay. Nevertheless, the deployment of UVLC is challenging rather than terrestrial basis communication over long ranges. In addition, UVLC systems have severe signal attenuation and strong turbulence channel conditions. Due to the fact that, this study provides an exhaustive and comprehensive survey of recent advancements in UVLC implementations to cope with the optical signal propagation issues. In this regard, a wide detailed summary and future perspectives of underwater optical signaling towards 5G and beyond (5GB) networks along with the current project schemes, channel impairments, various optical signal modulation techniques, underwater sensor network (UWSN) architectures with energy harvesting approaches, hybrid communication possibilities, and advancements of Internet of underwater things (IoUTs) are concluded in this research.

SUPPRESSED CARRIER FREQUENCY DIVISION MULTIPLEXING FOR INDOOR OPTICAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

Asymmetrically clipped orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ACO-OFDM) is one of the optical modulation techniques for indoor optical wireless communication systems (OWC) to enable intensity (IM) modulation and direct detection (DD). As compared to other techniques, ACO-OFDM is power efficient, bandwidth efficient and has zero impact of clipping noise. However, its high peak to average power ratio (PAPR) may lead to performance deterioration and also introduce nonlinear distortion in optical source. To further enhance its performance by reducing the PAPR, suppressed carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) is proposed and the system is titled as interleaved coded ACO (ICACO)-OFDM. To evaluate the performance of the system, simulation has been carried out for 16-QAM, 256 subcarriers, 1000 symbols. By observing the curves generated by Complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) at the probability of 10-3, PAPR has been characterized. It is observed that PAPR of ICACO-OFDM is 4.98 dB less as compared to ACO-OFDM system.

Performance Enhancement of DWDM-FSO Optical Fiber Communication Systems Based on Hybrid Modulation Techniques under Atmospheric Turbulence Channel

In this paper, we enhance the performance efficiency of the free-space optical (FSO) communication link using the hybrid on-off keying (OOK) modulation, M-ary digital pulse position modulation (M-ary DPPM), and M-pulse amplitude and position modulation (M-PAPM). This work analyzes and enhances the bit error rate (BER) performance of the moment generating function, modified Chernoff bound, and Gaussian approximation techniques. In the existence of both an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise, atmospheric turbulence (AT) channels, and interchannel crosstalk (ICC), we propose a system model of the passive optical network (PON) wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technique for a dense WDM (DWDM) based on the hybrid fiber FSO (HFFSO) link. We use eight wavelength channels that have been transmitted at a data rate of 2.5 Gbps over a turbulent HFFSO-DWDM system and PON-FSO optical fiber start from 1550 nm channel spacing in the C-band of 100 GHz. The results demonstrate (2.5 Gbps × 8 channels) 20 Gbit/s-4000 m transmission with favorable performance. In this design, M-ary DPPM-M-PAPM modulation is used to provide extra information bits to increase performance. We also propose to incorporate adaptive optics to mitigate the AT effect and improve the modulation efficiency. We investigate the impact of the turbulence effect on the proposed system performance based on OOK-M-ary PAPM-DPPM modulation as a function of M-ary DPPM-PAPM and other atmospheric parameters. The proposed M-ary hybrid DPPM-M-PAPM solution increases the receiver sensitivity compared to OOK, improves the reliability and achieves a lower power penalty of 0.2–3.0 dB at low coding level (M) 2 in the WDM-FSO systems for the weak turbulence. The OOK/M-ary hybrid DPPM-M-PAPM provides an optical signal-to-noise ratio of about 4–8 dB of the DWDM-HFFSO link for the strong turbulence at a target BER of 10−12. The numerical results indicate that the proposed design can be enhanced with the hybrid OOK/M-DPPM and M-PAPM for DWDM-HFFSO systems. The calculation results show that PAPM-DPPM has increased about 10–11 dB at BER of 10−12 more than the OOK-NRZ approach. The simulation results show that the proposed hybrid optical modulation technique can be used in the DWDM-FSO hybrid links for optical-wireless and fiber-optic communication systems, significantly increasing their efficiency. Finally, the use of the hybrid OOK/M-ary DPPM-M-PAPM modulation schemes is a new technique to reduce the AT, ICC, ASE noise for the DWDM-FSO optical fiber communication systems.