Ultra-Broadband Optical Wavelength-Conversion using Nonlinear Multi-Modal Optical Waveguides

Ultra-Broadband Wavelength Conversion is one of the key issues of future high-capacity, flexible optical networks. Using optimized Multi-Modal Optical Waveguides with high cubic nonlinearity, broadband wavelength conversion between extreme optical wavelength-bands has been achieved. In this contribution, the physical background of ultra-broadband optical wavelength-conversion in a highly nonlinear multi-modal Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI-) waveguide and methods to model and optimize its functionality are outlined. Finally, experimental results are presented that prove ultra-broadband conversion of data signals from the C-to O-band of silica fibers at an OSNR-penalty of less than 0.4 dB.