Noise filtering with the nonlinear optical loop mirror

The operation of a nonlinear optical loop mirror as a passive and signal polarization independent noise filter, is investigated experimentally. Spontaneous emission not within the signal spectrum is rejected leaving a receiver noise limited solely by signal-spontaneous beat noise. The receiver power penalty caused by spontaneous emission (@BER=10/sup -9/ (PRBS)) was improved from 3 dB to 0.4 dB by propagating a signal through the loop. A comparison between this nonlinear filtering: technique and a variable band-pass filter is also made.>