Open AccessEnhancement of optical pulse extinction-ratio using the nonlinear Kerr effect for phase-OTDR
Author(s) -
Curtis L. Baker,
Benoit Vanus,
Marc Wuilpart,
Liang Chen,
Xiaoyi Bao
Publication year - 2016
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.24.019424
Subject(s) - optics , extinction ratio , self phase modulation , cross phase modulation , physics , phase (matter) , phase modulation , kerr effect , modulation (music) , pulse (music) , extinction (optical mineralogy) , rayleigh scattering , nonlinear optics , phase noise , nonlinear system , laser , detector , wavelength , quantum mechanics , acoustics
We present a novel approach for the generation of high extinction-ratio square pulses based on self-phase modulation of sinusoidally modulated optical signals (SMOS). A SMOS in a nonlinear medium experiences self-phase modulation induced by the nonlinear Kerr effect leading to the generation of distinct sidebands. A small variation in the peak power of the SMOS leads to a large variation in the power of the sidebands. Impressing a square pulse on the SMOS and filtering a sideband component results in a higher extinction-ratio square pulse. The advantage of high extinction-ratio pulses is demonstrated by a reduced background noise level in the Rayleigh backscattering traces of a phase-OTDR vibration measurement system.