ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the main all-optical signal processing functions, which can be performed using nonlinear effects in optical fibers, namely pulse amplification and compression, supercontinuum generation and spectrum slicing, optical switching, wavelength conversion, and optical regeneration. Fiber nonlinearity is responsible for a wide range of phenomena, which can be used to construct a great variety of all-optical signal processing devices. The basic nonlinear phenomena occurring in optical fibers can be classified into general categories. The all-optical nonlinear approach conveniently avoids the need for optical to electronic conversions, and therefore, circumvents the above limitations. The fiber nonlinearity can be further enhanced by tailoring appropriately its structure. Different types of silica-based microstructured optical fibers have been designed to address this purpose. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book. The book is intended to provide an overview of the main all-optical signal processing functions.
