SOA-based loop mirror for tunable pulse-width generation

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a system for the generation of pulses of tunable pulse-width as those required in high spectral efficiency optically routed networks. Pulse narrowing of 500 ps pulses by 90% is accomplished through a SOA based non-linear loop mirror. Optical switching through the SOA loop mirror is used to shape and carve these large pulses (e.g., 500 ps) generated by non-expensive low-frequency optoelectronic components to narrow pulses (e.g., 50 ps). We also calculate the minimum loop size and optimum repetition rate of the original pulse train for the generation of the shorter pulse-width pulse train.