Characteristics of all-optical 3R regenerators using cascaded second-order nonlinear effect in quasi-phase matched lithium niobate devices

We numerically show that quasi-phase matched (QPM) lithium niobate (LN) devices employing the cascaded second-order nonlinear effect of second harmonic generation (SHG) and difference frequency mixing (DFM) have all-optical decision gate characteristics. The decision gate function is realized by a parabolic transmittance for a low-power region and a limiting characteristic for a high-power region. The limiter function is attributed to the large group-velocity mismatch between the fundamental and second harmonic pulses. This operation principle differs from those of other all-optical 2R (reamplification and reshaping) or 3R (2R and retiming) regenerators that have been proposed in the past. Furthermore, we show that an initial time offset between the signal and clock pulses can improve the output signal power or the switching efficiency of the device. Based on the numerical results, we propose a method for designing all-optical 3R regenerators using the cascade of SHG and DFM in the QPM-LN devices. Following the design method, all-optical 3R operation at the bit rate of 200 Gbps can be achieved using a 1-cm-long waveguide device.