Wavelength and Duration-Tunable 10-GHz 1.3-ps Pulse Source Using Dispersion Decreasing Fiber-Based Distributed Raman Amplification

We experimentally demonstrate a novel pulse compression scheme using dispersion decreasing fiber (DDF)-based distributed Raman amplification. We adiabatically compress 10-GHz 13-ps seed pulses generated using a commercially available electroabsorption modulator into high-quality 1.3-ps pulses in a 20-km DDF-based diode-pumped Raman amplifier. The usual DDF adiabatic soliton compression process is assisted by the distributed Raman gain along the fiber and by control of the input pulse chirp. Both wavelength tunability of about 30 nm and pulse-duration tunability from 1 to 5 ps are also demonstrated.