Enhancement of spectral resolution and optical rejection ratio of Brillouin optical spectral analysis using polarization pulling

Stefan Preussler, Avi Zadok, Andrzej Wiatrek, Moshe Tur, Thomas Schneider

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

High-resolution, wide-bandwidth optical spectrum analysis is essential to the measuring and monitoring of advanced optical, millimeter-wave, and terahertz communication systems, sensing applications and device characterization. One category of high-resolution spectrum analyzers reconstructs the power spectral density of a signal under test by scanning a Brillouin gain line across its spectral extent. In this work, we enhance both the resolution and the optical rejection ratio of such Brillouin-based spectrometers using a combination of two techniques. First, two Brillouin loss lines are superimposed upon a central Brillouin gain to reduce its bandwidth. Second, the vector attributes of stimulated Brillouin scattering amplification in standard, weakly birefringent fibers are used to change the signal state of polarization, and a judiciously aligned output polarizer discriminates between amplified and un-amplified spectral contents. A frequency resolution of 3 MHz, or eight orders of magnitude below the central optical frequency, is experimentally demonstrated. In addition, a weak spectral component is resolved in the presence of a strong adjacent signal, which is 30 dB stronger and detuned by only 60 MHz. The measurement method involves low-bandwidth direct detection, and does not require heterodyne beating. The measurement range of the proposed method is scalable to cover the C + L bands, depending on the tunable pump source. The accuracy of the measurements requires that the pump frequencies are well calibrated.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14734-14745
Number of pages12
JournalOptics Express
Volume20
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - 18 Jun 2012

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Enhancement of spectral resolution and optical rejection ratio of Brillouin optical spectral analysis using polarization pulling'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this