Four-in-one interferometer for coherent and self-coherent detection

Opt Express. 2013 Jun 3;21(11):13293-304. doi: 10.1364/OE.21.013293.

Abstract

A compact micro-optical interferometer is presented that combines two optical 90° hybrids or, alternatively, four delay interferometers into one interferometer structure sharing one tunable delay line. The interferometer can function as a frontend of either a coherent receiver or of a self-coherent receiver by adjusting the waveplates and the delay line. We built a prototype on a LIGA bench. We characterized the device and demonstrated its functionality by successful reception of a 112 Gbit/s signal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't