Ultrafast intensity modulation by Raman gain for all-optical in-fiber processing

We present experimental results on ultrafast intensity modulation using the Raman effect and demonstrate 10-Gbit/s selective pulse erasure. The technique is both broadband and polarization insensitive and has a potential speed in excess of 500 Gbits/s. In addition to performing pulse erasure, this all-optical modulator can shape pulses as a precise, soft aperture scalpel and create short, dark pulses. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.