All-optical 160 Gbits/s time-domain demultiplexer based on the heavily GeO2-doped silica-based nonlinear fiber

We present a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM)-based 160 Gbits/s demultiplexer built with a new generation of silica-based nonlinear fibers. Together with the record-breaking length of only 11 m, the demonstrated NOLM has a relatively low control signal power, which is comparable to the best results for bismuthoxide fibers to date, resulting in a four-times smaller power-length product than any previous silica fiber. Further, unlike previous silica-based approaches, the demonstrated demultiplexer does not require any dispersion management because of its extremely short length. The device is operable with a randomized input polarization at a bit error rate of 10(-8). (C) 2009 Optical Society of America