All-optical wavelength conversion and tuning by the cascaded sum- and difference frequency generation (cSFG/DFG) in a temperature gradient controlled Ti:PPLN channel waveguide

All-optical single and multiple wavelength conversion and tuning by the cascaded sum- and difference frequency generation (cSFG/DFG) have been demonstrated in a temperature gradient controlled periodically poled Ti:LiNbO3 (Ti:PPLN) channel waveguide. Up to 4 channels of wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signals which have 100 GHz channel spacing were simultaneously wavelength converted at a 16.8 degrees C temperature difference between both end faces in a Ti: PPLN waveguide. The 3 dB signal conversion bandwidth was measured to be as broad as 48 nm at single channel conversion. The maximum wavelength conversion efficiency and optical signal to noise ratio of wavelength converted channel were approximately -16 dB and -20 dB at a total pump power level of 810 mW. (C) 2005 Optical Society of America.