Acousto-optic frequency shifting in birefringent fiber

Abstract

Single-sideband frequency shifting has been accomplished using traveling acoustic waves to couple the orthogonal polarizations of birefringent fiber. The light coupled from one polarization to the other is shifted in frequency by the frequency of the acoustic wave. An upper sideband is produced in one polarization, a lower sideband in the other. Both surface and bulk acoustic waves have been used. Sideband suppression of better than 30 dB and carriersuppression of better than 20 dB below the desired sideband have been achieved.