Coherent pulse detection and multi-channel coherent detection based on a single balanced homodyne receiver

The performance of coherent pulse detection (CPD) and multichannel coherent detection (MCCD) based on a single dual-balanced homodyne receiver was experimentally demonstrated using a gratingcoupled hybridly mode-locked semiconductor laser. Compared with direct detection, a high coherent gain of over 10 dB, as well as an SNR improvement of over 5 dB, was obtained in both detection schemes. Our experimental results have confirmed that the coherent detection processes in CPD and MCCD are nearly the same based on a square-root LO power dependence. Nevertheless, the MCCD scheme has shown an advantage in a path-length error over the CPD scheme, revealing 2~3 dB improvement in sensitivities.