OPTICAL WAVELENGTH-CONVERTING APPARATUS

An all-optical wavelength converter (100) uses a nonlinear quasi-phasematching structure (120) to mix an input signal with a local oscillator signal, and then filters the resulting wavelength-shifted output signal. The filter (160) that performs the filtering function, the quasi-phasematching structure (120), and the local oscillator source, may be tunable and computer controlled. Several outputs, each with its own filter end, optionally, a shutter, may be provided. More than one local oscillator source may be used to create several wavelength-shifted signals, and the filters may be tuned to the wavelengths of the several output signals, thus providing a broadcasting function. Active fiber may be used in the wavelength converter to boost the power level of the signals before they are output. The quasi-phasematching structure (120) may have a variable dimensional period to provide dispersion compensation capability to the wavelength converter. An all-optical wavelength converter uses a nonlinear quasi-phasematching structure to mix an input signal with a local oscillator signal, and then filters the resulting wavelength-shifted output signal. The filter that performs the filtering function, the quasi-phasematching structure, and the local oscillator source, may be tunable and computer controlled. Several outputs, each with its own filter end, optionally, a shutter, may be provided. More than one local oscillator source may be used to create several wavelength-shifted signals, and the filters may be tuned to the wavelengths of the several output signals, thus providing a broadcasting function. Active fiber may be used in the wavelength converter to boost the power level of the signals before they are output. The quasi-phasematching structure may have a variable dimensional period to provide dispersion compensation capability to the wavelength converter. L'invention concerne un convertisseur de longueurs d'ondes entièrement optique utilisant une structure de quasi-adaptation de phase non linéaire pour mélanger un signal d'entrée avec un signal d'oscillateur local, et filtrant ensuite le signal de sortie à longueur d'onde décalée résultant. Le filtre qui exécute la fonction de filtrage, la structure de quasi-adaptation de phase, et la source d'oscillateur local, peuvent être accordables et commandés par ordinateur. Plusieurs sorties, chacune équipée de son propre filtre et, facultativement, un obturateur, peuvent être prévus. Plus d'une source d'oscillateur lo