Continuously-tunable, from MHz to GHz range, pulse train generation and its dynamic properties

摘要

We propose a new method to generate a continuously tunable repetition rate pulse train. It is based on the filtering of the negative nonlinear phase shift induced by the amplification of a rectangular optical signal in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). A constant pulse width of about 40 ps with a huge continuous tunability of the repetition rate, ranging from 1 MHz to 5 GHz, was experimentally demonstrated. The dynamic properties of the proposed versatile pulse source are studied.