Wavelength conversion technique based on self phase modulation in highly nonlinear microstructure fiber

A wavelength converter based on the self phase modulation (SPM) effect in highly nonlinear microstructure fibers (MFs) is proposed. The core diameter and the pitch of the fiber are 2.05 μm and 5.0 μm, respectively, and the diameter of the airholes in the fiber cladding is 4.50 μm. The calculating nonlinear coefficient is 112.2 W⁻¹km⁻¹ and it is 11 times higher than that of a conventional dispersion-shift fiber and 56 times higher than that of a conventional single-mode fiber. The length of the fiber is 100 m. The core area of the microstructure fiber is 3.3 μm². The self phase modulation effect is enhanced in the highly nonlinear microstructure fiber due to the very small fiber core area, and then the efficiency of the wavelength conversion is also improved. The wavelength conversion over ±4 nm is obtained with a good efficiency.