Broad wavelength-bandwidth optical sampling system using wavelength-tunable soliton pulses

Summary form only given. We have developed an optical sampling system with a broad wavelength-bandwidth by using a wavelength-tunable soliton pulse and a periodically poled LiNbO/sub 3/ (PPLN) crystal. The wavelength of the optical sampling pulse could be changed from 1560 nm to 1980 nm, and the wavelength-bandwidth of this system was greater than 100 nm. The wavelength-bandwidth is almost wide enough to cover optical signals in the S, C, and L bands. The sum-frequency generation (SFG) conversion efficiency is 1.86/spl times/10/sup -3/ W/sup -1/, the temporal resolution is 670 fs and the system jitter 300 fs. This sampling system will enable the waveforms of ultrahigh-speed OTDM signals within a broad wavelength-bandwidth range to be measured with high sensitivity.