Pulse Repetition Frequency Multiplication With Spectral Selection in Fabry–Perot Filters

Abstract

We present methods for obtaining high-repetition-rate full duty-cycle RZ optical pulse trains from lower rate laser sources. These methods exploit the memory properties of the Fabry-Perot filter for rate multiplication, while amplitude equalization in the output pulse train is achieved with a semiconductor optical amplifier or with a second transit through the Fabry-Perot filter. We apply these concepts to experimentally demonstrate rate quadruplication from 10 to 40 GHz and discuss the possibility of taking advantage of the proposed methods to achieve repetition rates up to 160 GHz.