Loss engineered arrayed waveguide gratings for generating multiple wavelength shifted 500 GHz repetition rate flat-topped pulse trains

Flat-topped intensity profile, high repetition rate pulse bursts have been demonstrated from a specially designed AWG and a single short pulse source laser. The key requirement is that the free spectral range of the device must be tailored so that multiple filter passbands fit within the input laser bandwidth. The unique properties of this device allow generation of identical, wavelength shifted, very high rate pulse trains for hybrid TDM/WDM communications and photonic signal processing. When applied to a high-repetition rate modelocked source (>10 GHz), these devices could lead to continuous very-high repetition rate output trains (>500 GHz). Furthermore, the simultaneous generation of multiple, slightly wavelength shifted pulse trains can be exploited to obtain new functionalities.