Optical Frequency Comb Block Generation by Using Semiconductor Mach–Zehnder Modulator

Abstract

A nine-channel optical frequency comb block is successfully generated by using an InP-based Mach-Zehnder modulator. The intensity deviation of the comb block is measured to be 4.9 dB, which agrees with the predicted value by numerical analysis. The wavelength of the comb block can be tuned from 1525 to 1565 nm successfully with constant RF modulation signal amplitude. It is achieved by simply controlling the dc bias applied to the modulator according to the operation wavelength.