Open AccessOptical frequency comb generation based on repeated frequency shifting using two Mach-Zehnder modulators and an asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer
Author(s) -
Wangzhe Li,
Jianping Yao
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.023712
Subject(s) - mach–zehnder interferometer , optics , interferometry , sideband , frequency comb , physics , electro optic modulator , modulation (music) , phase modulation , optical modulator , phase noise , laser , acoustics , microwave , quantum mechanics
A novel approach to generating an optical frequency comb based on repeated frequency shifting is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The frequency shifting is implemented via optical carrier suppression and single-sideband modulation using two Mach-Zehnder modulators in conjunction with a bidirectional asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer with wavelength-shifted transmission spectra along the opposite directions. A theoretical analysis is performed, which is confirmed by a proof-of-concept experiment. A stable optical comb covering a spectral range of 0.18 THz is generated.