Width-tunable pulse generation using four-wave mixing in bismuth based highly nonlinear fiber

This communication reports a simple configuration for the implementation of a compact and all-fiber based width-tunable pulse generator using four-wave mixing (FWM) effect in only 1.9-m of bismuth oxide based highly nonlinear fiber (Bi-HNLF). The width- tunable pulses are generated at repetition rates of 5 and 10 GHz. In the performed experiment, the pulsewidth of a 5 GHz repetition rate pulse train is tuned from 83 to 23 ps whereas the pulsewidth of a 10 GHz repetition rate pulse train is continuously tuned from 32 to 18 ps. An analytical model is presented for width-tunable pulse generation and the results agree well with the experimental findings. The effects of pump source timing jitter and intensity fluctuation on pulse generation are discussed.