Abstract

Recently, all-optical multiplication techniques of the repetition rate of optical pulse trains has been actively searched using a variety of mechanisms, i.e. spectral filtering [1,2], spatial Talbot effects [3,4] and micro-cavity structures [5] since it is believed to be a promising solution for ultrafast transmission in optical communication systems and optical signal processing. We here propose an entirely different approach for realizing the multiplication of the pulse repetition rate with a flexibly tunable multiplication factor. Actually, this technique is based on an all-fiber configuration, which renders the system very attractive for future applications in optical communications. This system makes use of dynamic Brillouin grating (DBG) reflectors implemented in highly birefringent fibers, and the repetition rate of a pulse train is readily reconfigurable by simply changing the number of dynamic grating reflectors positioned in the fiber.

© 2011 Optical Society of America