Simultaneous all-optical clock division and wavelength conversion using a Fabry-Perot laser diode

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel technique that uses a single Fabry-Perot laser diode (FP-LD) to perform simultaneous all-optical clock division and wavelength conversion. Utilizing the period-two oscillations characteristics in an optically injected semiconductor laser and the cross-gain modulation effect of the injection locked semiconductor laser, we achieve the simultaneous all optical clock division and wavelength conversion in a single FP-LD. Clock frequency division of 12.8 GHz to 6.4 GHz with simultaneous wavelength conversion from 1550.24 nm to 1545.91 nm is obtained. The experimental results indicate there is a certain injection signal power to obtain stable clock frequency division in an optimum wavelength detuning. It was empirically found that the best clock division and wavelength conversion occurred when the injected signal power was approximately 2-2.5 times as the injected probe light power, and the range of optimum wavelength detuning was about from -0.01 nm to 0.06 nm. Moreover, the FP-LD's bias current also influence the clock frequency divisions, we demonstrate that the most effective conversion can be obtain when bias current is located in the range of 1.6Ith similar to 2.3Ith. The experimental investigations further show that there is an optimum matching mode between the FP-LD and the probe light for obtaining the largest extinction ratio in wavelength conversion.