A Study of Observing Optical Waveform Applying All Optical Signal Sampling Technique Using a High Nonlinear Fiber

All optical signal sampling technique using a high nonlinear fiber is experimentally investigated in order to observing a waveform of a high symbol-rate optical signal. Optical sampling pulses having time width of 2.8 ps are generated from an output of a semiconductor mode lock laser module by reducing the pulses using optical gates. Envelope of the optical signal is sliced to the slow rate signal by the sampling pulses through the effect of four wave mixing caused in the high nonlinear fiber. Applying this manner, simple and less alignment system is realized. In order to confirm the basic operation of the scheme, signal conversion efficiencies to idler light are evaluated by using two types of fiber. Moreover, optical signal sampling experiments are carried out by using a 160 Gb/s On-Off-Keying signal.