Patent ID: 6693929
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: G02F,H04B

Abstract:
Apparatus for generating optical chirped return-to-zero (CRZ) signals, said apparatus comprisinga laser, a first modulator for imprinting the output of said laser with a data signal to produce a modulated optical data signal, and a Mach-Zehnder modulator optically coupled to the first modulator, having first and second arms that are driven by first and second periodic drive signals, u1(t) and u2(t), respectively, wherein said first and second drive signals are imbalanced; and wherein the Mach-Zehnder modulator provides pulse carving and phase modulation of the output of said laser independent of the data modulation function performed by the first modulator to allow tuning of the chirp independent of the data modulation.