초록 ▼

There is set forth in one embodiment an apparatus and method for imparting a phase shift to an input waveform for output of a converted waveform. In one embodiment, a phase shift can be provided by four wave mixing of an input waveform and a pump pulse. In one embodiment, there is set forth an appar

There is set forth in one embodiment an apparatus and method for imparting a phase shift to an input waveform for output of a converted waveform. In one embodiment, a phase shift can be provided by four wave mixing of an input waveform and a pump pulse. In one embodiment, there is set forth an apparatus and method for generating a high resolution time domain representation of an input waveform comprising: dispersing the input waveform to generate a dispersed input waveform; subjecting the dispersed input waveform to four wave mixing by combining the dispersed input waveform with a dispersed pump pulse to generate a converted waveform; and presenting the converted waveform to a detector unit. In one embodiment a detector unit can include a spectrometer (spectrum analyzer) for recording of the converted waveform and output of a record representing the input waveform.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus comprising: a first dispersive element through which an input waveform propagates;an optical element for outputting an output waveform; anda pump pulse input unit for input of a pump pulse into the optical element, the pump pulse input unit being coupled to the optical element, the p

1. An apparatus comprising: a first dispersive element through which an input waveform propagates;an optical element for outputting an output waveform; anda pump pulse input unit for input of a pump pulse into the optical element, the pump pulse input unit being coupled to the optical element, the pump pulse input unit having a second dispersive element through which the pump pulse propagates;wherein the optical element and the pump pulse input unit define a temporal lens, wherein each of the first dispersive element and the pump pulse input unit are coupled to the optical element;wherein the first dispersive element and the second dispersive element are configured so that a dispersion of the first dispersive element is matched with a dispersion of the second dispersive element;wherein the apparatus is configured so that the input waveform and the pump pulse are combined by four wave mixing at the optical element, so that the output waveform is phase shifted relative to the input waveform. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein for coordinating a dispersion of the first dispersive element with the second dispersive element the second dispersive element and the first dispersive element have a 2:1 dispersion ratio. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element in which the input waveform and the pump pulse are combined by four wave mixing comprises a waveguide provided on a photonic chip. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first dispersive element and the pump pulse input unit are arranged so that the input waveform travels through one focal length of dispersion prior to reaching the optical element. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump pulse input unit is provided by a pump pulse source and the second dispersive element. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a detector unit for detecting the output waveform. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a detector unit for detecting the output waveform, the detector unit having a spectrometer and a photodetector. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element is provided by a photonic waveguide and wherein the first dispersive element, the second dispersive element, and the photonic waveguide are incorporated into a photonic chip-scale device. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the photonic waveguide is a semiconductor waveguide. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element is configured to include a dispersion that yields a conversion bandwidth of greater than 100 nm. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element is configured to include a dispersion that yields a conversion bandwidth of greater than 150 nm. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element is adapted to include a zero-group-velocity dispersion point in the C telecommunications band. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element is configured so that a signal peak power dynamic range of the optical element is 103. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element is configured so that a signal peak power dynamic range of the optical element is within a range of 100 μW to 100 mW. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical element is configured so that each of the input waveform the pump pulse and the output waveform are within the S, C, and L telecommunication bands. 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured so that the peak optical power inside a waveguide included in the optical element is maintained at level sufficiently low for avoidance of self phase modulation. 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured so that the peak optical power inside a waveguide included in the optical element is maintained sufficiently low for avoidance of two photon induced free carrier effects. 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured so that the peak optical power inside a waveguide included in the optical element is maintained below 100 mW. 19. An apparatus for generating a representation of an input waveform, the apparatus comprising: a first dispersive element through which the input waveform propagates,an optical element for outputting an output waveform;a pump pulse input unit for input of a pump pulse into the optical element, the pump pulse input unit being coupled to the optical element, the pump pulse input unit having a second dispersive element through which the pump pulse propagates; anda detector unit for detecting the output waveform; wherein the optical element and the pump pulse input unit define a temporal lens,wherein each of the first dispersive element and the pump pulse input unit are coupled to the optical element;wherein the first dispersive element and the second dispersive element are configured so that a dispersion of the first dispersive element is matched with a dispersion of the second dispersive element; wherein the apparatus is configured so that the input waveform and the pump pulse are combined by four wave mixing at the optical element so that the output waveform is phase shifted relative to the input waveform. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the detector unit includes each of a spectrometer and a photodetector. 21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus includes a spectrometer substantially directly coupled to the optical element. 22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus includes an output dispersive element having an output dispersion and wherein the first dispersive element has an input dispersion and wherein the apparatus is configured so that the condition ResMM≤τpump2 applies, where ResM is the resolution limit of the detector unit, τpump is the pump pulsewidth and M is the magnification factor determined by the ratio of the output dispersion to the input dispersion. 23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus includes an output dispersive element having an output dispersion and wherein the first dispersive element has an input dispersion and wherein the apparatus is configured so that the condition ResMM≈τpump2 applies, where ReSM is the resolution limit of the detector unit, τpump is the pump pulsewidth and M is the magnification factor determined by the ratio of the output dispersion to the input dispersion. 24. An apparatus for generating a representation of an input waveform, the apparatus comprising: a first dispersive element through which the input waveform propagates,an optical element having a waveguide provided on a photonic chip, the waveguide having a zero-group-velocity dispersion point in the C telecommunications band and a dispersion yielding a conversion bandwidth of greater than 100 nm, wherein the waveguide is configured to output an output waveform;a pump pulse input unit for input of a pump pulse into the optical element, the pump pulse input unit being coupled to the optical element, the pump pulse input unit having a second dispersive element through which the pump pulse propagates, wherein the apparatus is configured so that each of the input waveform the pump pulse and the output waveform are within the S, C, and L telecommunication bands;and a detector unit for detecting the output waveform, the detector unit comprising one or more of a spectrometer and a photodetector;wherein the waveguide and the pump pulse input unit define a temporal lens, wherein each of the first dispersive element and the pump pulse input unit are coupled to the waveguide;wherein the first dispersive element and the second dispersive element are configured so that a dispersion of the first dispersive element is matched with a dispersion of the second dispersive element;wherein the apparatus is configured so that the input waveform and the pump pulse are combined by four wave mixing at the waveguide so that the output waveform is phase shifted relative to the input waveform;wherein the apparatus is configured to that the peak optical power inside the waveguide is maintained below 100 mW. 25. An apparatus for generating a representation of an input waveform, the apparatus comprising: a waveguide provided on a photonic chip, the waveguide being adapted for coupling of the input waveform;a pump pulse input unit for input of a pump pulse into the waveguide, the pump pulse input unit being coupled to the waveguide, wherein the pump pulse input unit in combination with the waveguide defines a temporal lens;wherein the apparatus is configured so that the input waveform and the pump pulse combine by way of four wave mixing in the waveguide,wherein an output waveform is output from the waveguide;wherein the apparatus further includes a detector unit for detecting the output waveform. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the waveguide is configured to include a dispersion that yields a conversion bandwidth of greater than 100 nm. 27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the waveguide is configured to include a dispersion that yields a conversion bandwidth of greater than 150 nm. 28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the waveguide is adapted to include a zero-group-velocity dispersion point in the C telecommunications band. 29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the waveguide is configured so that a signal peak power dynamic range of the waveguide is 103. 30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the waveguide is configured so that a signal peak power dynamic range of the waveguide is within a range of 100 μW to 100 mW. 31. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the apparatus is configured so that each of the input waveform the pump pulse and the output waveform are within the S, C, and L telecommunication bands. 32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the apparatus is configured to that the peak optical power inside the waveguide is maintained at level sufficiently low for avoidance of self phase modulation. 33. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the apparatus is configured to that the peak optical power inside the waveguide is maintained sufficiently low for avoidance of two photon induced free carrier effects. 34. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the apparatus is configured to that the peak optical power inside the waveguide is maintained below 100 mW. 35. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the waveguide provided on a photonic chip comprises semiconductor material. 36. An apparatus for generating a representation of an input waveform, the apparatus comprising: a first dispersive element through which the input waveform propagates;a waveguide provided on a photonic chip, the waveguide for output of an output waveform, the waveguide being adapted for coupling of the input waveform;a detector unit for detecting the output waveform; anda pump pulse input unit for input of a pump pulse into the waveguide, the pump pulse input unit being coupled to the waveguide wherein the pump pulse input unit includes a second dispersive element, wherein the pump pulse input unit in combination with the waveguide defines a temporal lens;wherein the first dispersive element and the second dispersive element are configured so that a dispersion of the first dispersive element is matched to a dispersion of the second dispersive element;wherein the apparatus is configured so that the pump pulse combines with the input waveform by way of four wave mixing in the waveguide so that the output waveform is phase shifted relative to the input waveform. 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first dispersive element and the second dispersive element are provided on the photonic chip. 38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first dispersive element, the second dispersive element and the detector unit are provided on the photonic chip. 39. A method for generating a high resolution time domain representation of an input waveform comprising: dispersing the input waveform to generate a dispersed input waveform;subjecting the dispersed input waveform to four wave mixing by combining the dispersed input waveform with a dispersed pump pulse to generate a converted waveform; andpresenting the converted waveform to a spectrum analyzer for recording of the converted waveform. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the dispersing the input waveform includes matching a dispersion through which the input waveform is dispersed with a dispersion through which the pump pulse is dispersed. 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the matching includes providing a dispersion for dispersing the pump pulse that is twice as dispersive as the dispersion through which the input waveform is dispersed. 42. The method of claim 39, wherein the subjecting the input waveform to four wave mixing includes utilizing a waveguide provided on a photonic chip, the waveguide that is adapted to include a zero-group-velocity dispersion point in the C telecommunications band. 43. The method of claim 39, wherein the subjecting the input waveform to four wave mixing includes utilizing a waveguide provided on a photonic chip, wherein the waveguide is configured so that the peak optical power inside the waveguide is maintained below 100 mW. 44. The method of claim 39, wherein the method includes providing the input waveform the pump pulse and the output waveform to be within the S, C, and L telecommunication bands. 45. An apparatus for generating a representation of an input waveform, the apparatus comprising: an optical element, wherein the apparatus is configured so that the input waveform is coupled to the optical element;wherein the apparatus is configured so that the input waveform is subjected to a quadratic phase shift within the optical element for outputting an output waveform that is phase shifted relative to the input waveform; anda detector unit operative to detect the output waveform;wherein the apparatus is configured so that the detector unit is operative to output a first record having a first output record length, and is further operative to output a second record having a second output record length. 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the apparatus includes first and second output dispersive elements having first and second dispersions, the first dispersion being different than the second dispersion, wherein the apparatus is operative for coupling the output waveform to each of the first and second output dispersive elements, the detector unit having a first photodetector coupled to the first output dispersion element for output of the first record, the detector unit having a second photodetector coupled to the second output dispersion element for output of the second record. 47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the detector unit includes a spectrometer for output of the first record and a photodetector for output of the second record. 48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the apparatus includes a first output dispersive element and a second output dispersive element, and wherein the apparatus further includes a switch for selectively coupling the output waveform to one of the first output dispersive element and second output dispersive element. 49. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the apparatus is configured so that the quadratic phase shift is provided utilizing four wave mixing. 50. A system for processing an input waveform, the system comprising: an oscilloscope having an optical element for coupling of the input waveform, wherein the oscilloscope is configured so that the input waveform is subjected to a quadratic phase shift within the optical element for outputting an output waveform that is phase shifted relative to the input waveform, the oscilloscope having a detector unit for output of first and second records representative of the input waveform; anda processing unit for processing each of the first and second records, wherein the processing unit is operative for determining a processing unit output responsively to the processing. 51. The system of claim 50, wherein the processing unit output controls an apparatus for transmission of encoded optical data. 52. The system of claim 50, wherein the system is operative so that the first and second records for processing are varied on an open loop basis. 53. The system of claim 50, wherein the system is operative so that the second record output by the detector unit is output responsively to a processing by the processing unit of the first record. 54. The system of claim 50, wherein the system is operative so that the first record is output with use of a spectrometer detecting the output waveform, and wherein the system is further operative so that the second record is output with use of a photodetector. 55. The system of claim 50, wherein the system is operative so that the first record is output with use of a photodetector that detects the output waveform dispersed through a first output dispersion, and wherein the system is further operative so that the second record is output with use of a photodetector that detects the output waveform dispersed through a second dispersion. 56. A system for use with an apparatus for transmission of encoded optical data, wherein transmitted data includes binary data encoded utilizing a succession of optical pulses, the optical pulses having nominal characteristics, the system comprising: an oscilloscope coupled to an output of the apparatus for output of at least one record representing the succession of optical pulses output by the apparatus, the oscilloscope being operative to impart a phase shift to an input waveform, wherein the oscilloscope is operative so that the record has a resolution of equal to or better than 220 fs and a record length of equal to or greater than 100 ps;a processing unit for processing the record, the processing unit being operative for processing one or more pulse representations of the record to determine whether one or more optical pulses satisfy a criteria indicative of the one or more pulses having acceptable quality;wherein the processing unit is operative to generate an output responsively to the processing. 57. The system of claim 56, wherein the output controls an indicator. 58. The system of claim 56, wherein the output controls the apparatus. 59. The system of claim 56, wherein the oscilloscope is operative to output a first record having a first output record length and a second record having a second output record length wherein the processing unit is operative to transmit one or more communications to the oscilloscope responsively to which the oscilloscope returns to the processing unit for processing by the processing unit a first record in a first format of longer output record length and a second record in a second format of a shorter output record length, wherein the processing unit is operative for processing of the first record and the second record. 60. The system of claim 56, wherein the system is operative so that responsively to the output that is output by the processing unit, the apparatus adjusts one or more of a light polarization parameter, a bias voltage parameter, a bias voltage parameter, and an RF power parameter. 61. A photonic chip comprising: a substrate; anda device structure having the elements of (a) a first dispersive element having a dispersion for dispersing an input waveform, (b) a second dispersive element adapted for dispersing a pump pulse having a dispersion matched to a dispersion of the first dispersive element; (c) a waveguide for outputting an output waveform, the waveguide adapted for combining of the input waveform and the pump pulse by way of four wave mixing, so that the output waveform output by the waveguide is phase shifted relative to the input waveform;wherein each of the first dispersive element, the second dispersive element, and the waveguide are formed by etching a mass of waveguiding material disposed above the substrate. 62. The photonic chip of claim 61, wherein the device structure further comprises portion of a detector for use in detecting the output waveform, the portion of the detector formed by etching of the mass of waveguiding material. 63. The photonic chip of claim 61, wherein the device structure further comprises a detector for detecting the output waveform, wherein a first portion of the detector is formed by etching of the mass of waveguiding material, wherein a second portion of the detector is formed by etching a mass of photosensitive semiconductor material, the mass of photosensitive semiconductor material being disposed proximate the mass of waveguiding material. 64. The photonic chip of claim 61, wherein the device structure further comprises a spectrometer having a grating and a photodetector array, the spectrometer for detecting the output waveform, wherein the grating is formed by etching of the mass of waveguiding material, wherein the photodetector array is formed by etching a mass of photosensitive semiconductor material, the mass of photosensitive semiconductor material being disposed proximate the mass of waveguiding material. 65. The photonic chip of claim 61, wherein the device structure further comprises an output dispersive element for dispersing the output waveform, the output dispersive element being formed by etching of the mass of waveguiding material. 66. The photonic chip of claim 61, wherein the device structure has defined therein an electrical signal output for outputting an electrical signal record representing the input waveform, and an optical output for output of the output waveform. 67. The photonic chip of claim 61, wherein the device structure has defined therein a first optical input for input of an input waveform, a second optical input for input of a pump pulse, and at least one output selected from the group consisting of an optical output and an electrical signal output. 68. An apparatus for characterizing an input waveform, the apparatus comprising: an input dispersive element through which an input waveform passes;a pump pulse dispersive element through which a pump pulse passes;an optical element in which a dispersed input waveform after being dispersed by the input dispersive element and the pump pulse after being dispersed by the pump pulse dispersive element are combined by four wave mixing for output of an output waveform that is wavelength shifted relative to the input waveform;wherein a dispersion of the input dispersive element and a dispersion of the pump pulse dispersive element are matched in a manner so that a spectrum of the output waveform represents a temporal profile of the input waveform. 69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the apparatus further comprises an output dispersive element through which the output waveform passes, the apparatus being adapted to lengthen the input waveform in time. 70. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the apparatus further comprises a photodetector for measuring the output waveform. 71. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the apparatus further comprises a spectrometer for measuring a spectrum of the output waveform, the spectrum representing the temporal profile of the input waveform. 72. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the apparatus further comprises a photodetector for measuring the output waveform and a spectrometer for measuring a spectrum of the output waveform. 73. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein each of the input waveform, the pump pulse and the output waveform have wavelengths within the S, C, and L telecommunications bands. 74. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the optical element comprises a Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) photonic platform. 75. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the optical element comprises a semiconductor photonic platform. 76. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein a dispersion of the input dispersive element and a dispersion of the pump pulse dispersive element are matched by providing the pump pulse dispersive element to be twice a dispersive length of the input dispersive element. 77. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the apparatus further includes a pump pulse generator. 78. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein a peak optical power inside the optical element is maintained at a sufficiently low level to avoid self-phase modulation. 79. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein a peak optical power inside the optical element is maintained at a sufficiently low level to avoid two photo induced free carrier effects. 80. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the output waveform is temporally stretched relative to the input waveform by a factor determined by the ratio between the total dispersions of the output dispersive element and the input dispersive element. 81. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein one or more of the input dispersive element and the pump pulse dispersive element includes structure selected from the group consisting of optical fibers, optical wave guides, chirped Bragg gratings, free space gratings and prisms. 82. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the apparatus further comprises a single shot spectrometer for performing a single shot measurement of a temporal profile of the input waveform. 83. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein a certain dispersive element of the apparatus has a dispersion slope sufficiently low to avoid distortion resulting from third order dispersion. 84. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein a certain dispersive element of the apparatus has relative dispersion slope that is less than 0.00335 nm−1 at 1550 nm. 85. The apparatus any of claim 68, wherein the optical element is integrated on a photonic chip. 86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the input dispersive element is integrated on the photonic chip. 87. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the pump pulse dispersive element is integrated on the photonic chip. 88. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus further comprises a source of the pump pulse integrated on the photonic chip. 89. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the apparatus further comprises a spectrometer integrated on the photonic chip. 90. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the spectrometer includes a grating and a photodetector array, wherein the grating is fabricated by etching a mass of waveguiding material, wherein the photodetector array is fabricated by etching a mass of photosensitive semiconductor material. 91. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the apparatus is included in a system that outputs a record representing a succession of optical pulses, the apparatus including a processing unit for processing the record, the processing unit being operative for processing one or more pulse representations of the record to determine whether one or more optical pulses satisfy a criteria indicative of the one or more optical pulses having acceptable quality, and wherein the processing unit is operative to generate an output responsively to the processing. 92. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the apparatus includes first and second output dispersive elements having first and second dispersions, wherein the apparatus includes a first photodetector coupled to the first output dispersive element for output of a first record having a first record length, and a second photodetector coupled to the second output dispersive element for output of a second record having a second record length different from the first record length. 93. An method for characterizing an input waveform, the method comprising: providing an input dispersive element through which an input waveform passes;providing a pump pulse dispersive element through which a pump pulse passes;passing the input waveform through the input dispersive element and passing a pump pulse through the pump pulse dispersive element;combining the input waveform dispersed by the input dispersive element and the pump pulse dispersed by the pump pulse dispersive element by four wave mixing in an optical element for output of an output waveform that is wavelength shifted relative to the input waveform;wherein a dispersion of the input dispersive element and a dispersion of the pump pulse dispersive element are matched in a manner so that a spectrum of the output waveform represents a temporal profile of the input waveform.