A Study of Optical Signal Sampling of Optical Phase Shift Keying Signals Using a Chirped Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate Wavelength Converter

Abstract

All optical signal sampling technique for an optical phase shift keying (OPSK) signal applying a periodically poled LiNbO₃ (PPLN) wavelength converter is proposed and its performance is experimentally investigated. Using difference frequency generation in the PPLN where setting the phase between an optical signal and short pulses for sampling as 0 or π/2, phase information of the OPSK signal is captured and quasi constellation of the signal is obtained. Optimal condition of the signal input powers to the PPLN is experimentally clarified and basic operation of the proposed scheme is confirmed.