Patent ID: 6366390
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A pulse interleaver comprising:an input for receiving a return-to-zero pulse train; a beam splitter for dividing the input pulse train into at least two optical branches, a first one of the branches carrying a first signal, and the first one of the branches being terminated with a mirror and a device for manipulating the state of polarization, the first signal reflected by the mirror being re-combined at a combiner with a second signal on a second one of the branches, wherein the effective path lengths for the first and second signals between the input and the combiner are selected such that the input pulse train is interleaved with itself thereby providing an output with increased frequency, and wherein the mirror and the device for non-reciprocal 45 degree rotation of the state of polarization provide a predetermined relationship between the polarization of pulses in the output pulse train derived from an individual pulse of the input pulse train.