Data bit distortion induced by slow light in optical communication systems

摘要

Slow-light components will degrade the data bits in an optical communication system due to narrow-band amplitude and phase responses. A bit-pattern dependence is produced in the output data stream. These effects are observed in simulation as well as in an experiment based on slow light induced by stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in an optical fiber. We define figure of merit involving pulse delay and data degradation to optimize slow-light components. It is demonstrated experimentally and numerically that the pattern dependence can be reduced by detuning the slow-light devices.