Abstract

We show that ultrabroadband parametric generation and wavelength conversion can be realized in silicon waveguides in the wavelength region near 1550 nm by tailoring their zero-dispersion wavelength and launching pump wave close to this wavelength. We quantify the impact of two-photon absorption, free-carrier generation, and linear losses on the process of parametric generation and show that it is difficult to realize a net signal gain and transparent wavelength conversion with a continuous-wave pump. By investigating the transient dynamics of the four-wave mixing process initiated with a pulsed pump, we show that the instantaneous nature of electronic response enables highly efficient parametric amplification and wavelength conversion for pump pulses as wide as 1 ns. We also discuss the dual-pump configuration and show that its use permits multiband operation with uniform efficiency over a broad spectral region extending over 300 nm.

© 2006 Optical Society of America

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History
Original Manuscript: March 31, 2006
Manuscript Accepted: May 16, 2006
Revised Manuscript: May 11, 2006
Published: May 29, 2006

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Author Affiliations

Jidong Zhang

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester

Govind P. Agrawal

Institute of Optics, University of Rochester

Qiang Lin, Philippe M. Fauchet

University of Rochester

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