Proposal and simulation for all-optical format conversion between differential phase-shift keying signals based on cascaded second-order nonlinearities

We propose and simulate simple realizations of all-optical format conversion between differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) signals based on cascaded second-order nonlinearities in a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide. Four kinds of 40 Gb/s all-optical format conversion from non-return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying (NRZ-DPSK) to return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying (RZ-DPSK) are investigated based on cascaded second-harmonic generation and difference-frequency generation (cSHG/DFG) or cascaded sum- and difference-frequency generation (cSFG/DFG). The optical spectra, temporal waveforms, eye diagrams, constellation diagrams, and time-related phase distribution are analyzed, which indicate successful implementation of NRZ-DPSK-to-RZ-DPSK format conversion. The obtained results also confirm the phase preservation characteristic of PPLN.