12-THz frequency difference measurements and noise analysis of an optical frequency comb in optical fibers

A span up to 50 THz of optical frequency comb (OFC) has been obtained by self-phase modulation in an optical fiber. The coherent nature of the process was verified by heterodyne-detecting the sidebands offset by up to 12 THz from the carrier. The signal-to noise ratio (SNR) of the beat signal between a sideband at 12 THz offset and another single-mode laser was 32 dB in a 1-MHz bandwidth. Although the linewidth of each beat signal was maintained within a few megahertz, phase noise pedestal power increased with the offset frequency.