All-Optical Reconfigurable Signal Processing Based on Cross Phase Modulation Time Lensing

A system is proposed for all-optical reconfigurable time-to-frequency (T-to-F) conversion and temporal magnification of optical waveforms using a design based on a cross phase modulation-induced time lens combined with group-velocity dispersion. In this design, the T-to-F conversion ratio and magnification factor can be easily tuned by exploiting the direct dependence of the time-lens chirp with the peak power of a parabolic pump pulse. In a proof-of-concept experiment, T-to-F conversion and temporal magnification of picosecond optical waveforms are demonstrated using a fiber-optics scheme, where the T-to-F conversion and magnification factors are effectively tuned over a twofold range by controlling the gain of an optical amplifier. The same system can be additionally adjusted to provide a time-mapped Fourier transform of the input waveform.