Quantum noise theory in fiber optics (A)

Dmitry Levandovsky

M. D. Levenson, Robert M. Shelby

Near-degenerate four-wave parametric mixing in an optical fiber couples fluctuations in signal and idler frequency bands in such a way that the noise at a particular optical phase is reduced while that in an orthogonal phase quadrature is amplified. We have performed experiments on this effect and explained our results in terms of a theory which incorporates a nonlinear dispersion effect. The nonlinear dispersion alters the mathematical character of the solutions and limits the effective interaction length. For relatively low frequency shifts (<100 GHz) and 100 m of fiber, the heterodyne detected optical noise can be reduced by 5 dB in the squeezed quadrature. Theory predicts that this parametric interaction should reduce the noise level below the standard quantum limit. In a realistic fiber, phase noise due to guided acoustic wave Brillouin scattering (GAWBS) dominates the quanturn noise and cannot be reduced by four-wave mixing. Narrow gaps in the GAWBS noise can be engineered into special fibers. At the frequencies of these gaps, the noise level indeed can be squeezed below the quantum limit.

Paul A. Williams, William C. Swann, Nathan R. Newbury

We present theory and experiment quantifying the limitations to stable transport of optical frequencies over optical fiber. These are fundamental fiber noise, propagation delay, bidirectional propagation and system noise in the measurement interferometers.

Linghui Wu, Daniel A. Lidar

Per Kylemark, Per Olof Hedekvist, Henrik Sunnerud +2 more

We derive an analytical theory for the noise figure of an undepleted and lossless fiber optical parametric amplifier (FOPA). Both the signal and the wavelength converted idler are investigated. Our theory is applicable for both an ideal pump power source, as well as a noisy one. We find that a noisy pump source can severely degrade the performance at high gain due to the stochastic gain-variations the signal and idler will experience. The theory is compared with Monte Carlo simulations of the FOPA and an excellent agreement is obtained. Simulations in the gain-depleted region show the possibility to reach below quantum-limited, phase-insensitive amplification for single channel transmission.

Derek Abbott, Jeffrey H. Shapiro, Y. Yamamoto