Dispersion-imbalanced nonlinear optical loop mirror with lumped dispersive elements

Self switching of optical pulses by a dispersion-imbalanced nonlinear optical fibre loop mirror is analysed. The loop mirror consists of an anomalous-dispersion fibre and a lumped dispersive element, such as a chirped fibre grating, which is required to brake the symmetry of the loop for self-switching operation. It is shown that a higher switching contrast and a smaller switching power can be achieved compared with those for a standard nonlinear optical loop mirror