Apparatuses and methods for generating an optical signal in an optical communication network

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods are described for generating an optical signal in an optical network. The apparatus comprises at least a first and a second laser configured to generate a first or second series of optical pulses respectively and a polarization beam combiner (PBC). The PBC is configured to receive the first and second series of optical pulses. Each optical pulse in the first series of optical pulses is received with a first state of polarization (SOP), and each optical pulse in the second series of optical pulses is received with a second SOP. The first SOP and second SOP is orthogonal with respect to each other, and the PBC is further configured to combine the first and second series of optical pulses and to output an un-polarized optical signal. The un-polarized optical signal may help to reduce or mitigate nonlinear optical impairments caused by polarization of the optical signal.