Wavelength converter using a highly Er-doped optical fiber ring laser

Abstract

This work presents an all-fiber wavelength converter based on a highly Er-doped fiber laser, which has been experimentally demonstrated. Frequencies from several kilohertz up to tens of gigahertz have been investigated. Making use of the gain competition in the amplifying medium, the wavelength conversion can be carried out over not only one lasing wavelength, but over several. These analyses have also been carried out for more than one all-fiber ring structure, demonstrating the viability of this wavelength converter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time an Er-doped fiber wavelength converter has been validated.