Light source for generating an output signal having spaced apart frequencies

Abstract

A multiple wavelength light source generates an output signal having a comb of accurately spaced apart frequencies with variable free spectral range in the C-band of optical fiber communication. The light source employs an electro-optical modulator (EOM) driven by a signal generator which modulates with EOM with multiple modulation frequencies to widen the output spectrum of signal. The EOM has a crystal provided with a waveguide. The waveguide may be doped with a rare-earth metal to impart gain properties to equalize the intensities of the comb. In one preferred embodiment, Er, Yt or other doping elements provide the gain property to waveguides. The crystal is also provided with periodically poled structure, and this may be engineered so as to form domains of unequal widths to improve the efficiency of modulation. The output signal from the light source may be split and presented to a bank of filters to create a multiple signals, each signal having one of the spaced apart frequencies. The output signals may be used as channels to be modulated by data and then combined in dense wavelength division multiplexing system, or may be used as a soliton source in time-division multiplexed communication systems.