OPTICAL PULSE GENERATION

摘要

An optical pulse generator comprises a source of polarised optical pulses each having a first frequency spectrum, a length of non-polarisation maintaining highly nonlinear fibre (HNLF) connected to the source, and a polarisation rotator connected to the HNLF. An optical pulse output from the source is guided along the HNLF to the polarisation rotator, whereat the polarisation of the pulse is rotated, and wherein the rotated pulse is re-input to the HNLF, guided along the HNLF, and output from the HNLF as a modified optical pulse. The modified optical pulse has a second frequency spectrumthat is broader than the first frequency spectrum due to interaction between the optical pulse with the HNLF, and wherein the modified optical pulse is substantially polarised.