Optical frequency comb generation and its applications

In this paper, an optical comb generation scheme, based on gain switching of a discrete mode (DM) laser diode (LD) is shown to be an attractive alternative. The results achieved show that the high SMSR and low jitter pulse train, which exhibit a corresponding multi-carrier spectrum, has the potential to be employed as a frequency comb generator. Such a comb generator enables simple and cost efficient generation of lightwaves with the precisely controlled channel spacing required for high information spectral density communication systems. In order to enhance the commercial applications and viability of the gain-switched DM laser as a comb source, we also carry out spectral comb expansion by employing a phase modulator and subsequently using a combination of linear/nonlinear pulse compression techniques.