Multiple four-wave mixing–induced modulational instability in highly birefringent fibers

Theoretical and experimental results are presented that illustrate efficient generation of new optical frequencies by means of induced modulational instability in birefringent fibers for an initially highly phase-mismatched process. Modulational instability is assisted by multiple four-wave mixing interactions. This technique relaxes the strict spectral limitations imposed by the phase-matching conditions on the signal used for frequency conversion by means of modulational instability.