A method and apparatus is proposed for accurately evaluating the performance of optical transmitters under test conditions (such as high bit-rate modulation formats) that compromise the operability of standard test equipment used for this purpose. The proposed apparatus and method are similar to the elements associated with existing testing standards based on an optical eye diagram, with an important distinction that allows for accurate measurements of the transmitter's performance to be made. In particular, the sampling point for collecting eye diagram data samples in the inventive arrangement is shifted by half a period with respect to the conventional mid-eye sampling point, eliminating the need to include representative reference equalizer in the test equipment and providing an evaluation not influenced by the test equipment, resulting in a more accurate measurement of transmitter-related distortions.

A method and apparatus is proposed for accurately evaluating the performance of optical transmitters under test conditions (such as high bit-rate modulation formats) that compromise the operability of standard test equipment used for this purpose. The proposed apparatus and method are similar to the elements associated with existing testing standards based on an optical eye diagram, with an important distinction that allows for accurate measurements of the transmitter's performance to be made. In particular, the sampling point for collecting eye diagram data samples in the inventive arrangement is shifted by half a period with respect to the conventional mid-eye sampling point, eliminating the need to include representative reference equalizer in the test equipment and providing an evaluation not influenced by the test equipment, resulting in a more accurate measurement of transmitter-related distortions.

One embodiment provides an optical encoder. The optical encoder includes an optical comb source to generate a multi-wavelength optical signal; a number of optical filters sequentially coupled to the optical comb source, with a respective optical filter being tunable to pass or block a particular wavelength of the multi-wavelength optical signal based on a corresponding bit value of a multi-bit search word; and a common output for the optical filters to output the filtered multi-wavelength optical signal, which encodes the multi-bit search word and can be used as an optical search signal for searching an optical content-addressable memory (CAM).

One embodiment provides an optical encoder. The optical encoder includes an optical comb source to generate a multi-wavelength optical signal; a number of optical filters sequentially coupled to the optical comb source, with a respective optical filter being tunable to pass or block a particular wavelength of the multi-wavelength optical signal based on a corresponding bit value of a multi-bit search word; and a common output for the optical filters to output the filtered multi-wavelength optical signal, which encodes the multi-bit search word and can be used as an optical search signal for searching an optical content-addressable memory (CAM).

A system and method for applying a time-varying phase shift to an optical signal is described. Such a phase shift results in a frequency shift of the optical signal, which can be useful for instance in sensing applications. The design uses cross phase modulation (XPM) in a nonlinear medium such as optical fiber. The pump producing the XPM experiences a change in energy along the medium, for instance due to loss. The pump and signal have mismatched group velocities such that they walk-off each other in time, and the pump pulse repetition rate is chosen so that it has a specific relationship with respect to the walk-off. The design is compatible with very low signal loss and does not require high fidelity electrical control signals. It is capable of high-efficiency one-directional serrodyne frequency shifts, as well as producing symmetric frequency shifts. It can also be made polarization independent.

A system and method for applying a time-varying phase shift to an optical signal is described. Such a phase shift results in a frequency shift of the optical signal, which can be useful for instance in sensing applications. The design uses cross phase modulation (XPM) in a nonlinear medium such as optical fiber. The pump producing the XPM experiences a change in energy along the medium, for instance due to loss. The pump and signal have mismatched group velocities such that they walk-off each other in time, and the pump pulse repetition rate is chosen so that it has a specific relationship with respect to the walk-off. The design is compatible with very low signal loss and does not require high fidelity electrical control signals. It is capable of high-efficiency one-directional serrodyne frequency shifts, as well as producing symmetric frequency shifts. It can also be made polarization independent.

Devices, systems and methods for encoding information using optical components are described. Information associated with a first optical signal (e.g., an optical pump) is encoded onto the phase of a second optical signal (e.g., an optical probe) using cross phase modulation (XPM) in a non-linear optical medium. The optical signals are multiplexed together into the nonlinear optical medium. The probe experiences a modified index of refraction as it propagates through the medium and thus accumulates a phase change proportional to the intensity of the pump. The disclosed devices can be incorporated into larger components and systems for various applications such as scientific diagnostics, radar, remote sensing, wireless communications, and quantum computing that can benefit from encoding and generation of low noise, high resolution signals. Examples of the encoded information includes intrinsic noise from the optical source, or others signals of interest, such as electrical, optical, X-ray, or high-energy particle signals.

Devices, systems and methods for encoding information using optical components are described. Information associated with a first optical signal (e.g., an optical pump) is encoded onto the phase of a second optical signal (e.g., an optical probe) using cross phase modulation (XPM) in a non-linear optical medium. The optical signals are multiplexed together into the nonlinear optical medium. The probe experiences a modified index of refraction as it propagates through the medium and thus accumulates a phase change proportional to the intensity of the pump. The disclosed devices can be incorporated into larger components and systems for various applications such as scientific diagnostics, radar, remote sensing, wireless communications, and quantum computing that can benefit from encoding and generation of low noise, high resolution signals. Examples of the encoded information includes intrinsic noise from the optical source, or others signals of interest, such as electrical, optical, X-ray, or high-energy particle signals.

One embodiment provides an optical encoder. The optical encoder includes an optical comb source to generate a multi-wavelength optical signal; a number of optical filters sequentially coupled to the optical comb source, with a respective optical filter being tunable to pass or block a particular wavelength of the multi-wavelength optical signal based on a corresponding bit value of a multi-bit search word; and a common output for the optical filters to output the filtered multi-wavelength optical signal, which encodes the multi-bit search word and can be used as an optical search signal for searching an optical content-addressable memory (CAM).

An optical transmitter transmits a data signal. The optical transmitter includes an encoder configured to encode the data signal by selecting based on a bit sequence, a first symbol and a second symbol from a set of four symbols for each one of at least two transmission time slots. The optical transmitter further includes a modulator configured to use in each transmission time slot the first symbol to modulate a first carrier wave and the second symbol to modulate a second carrier wave, and to transmit the two carrier waves over orthogonal polarizations of an optical carrier. Symbols in consecutive transmission time slots have non-identical polarization states.