Spectral modeling of channel band shapes in wavelength selective switches.

A model for characterizing the spectral response of the passband of Wavelength Selective Switches (WSS) is presented. We demonstrate that, in contrast to the commonly used supergaussian model, the presented model offers a more complete match to measured results, as it is based on the physical operation of the optical system. We also demonstrate that this model is better suited for calculation of WSS channel bandwidths, as well as predicting the final bandwidth of cascaded WSS modules. Finally, we show the utility of this model in predicting channel shapes in flexible bandwidth WSS channel plans.

Efficient 550-600-nm tunable laser based on noncritically phase-matched frequency doubling of room-temperature LiF:F2- in lithium triborate.

We report on efficient conversion of a 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser to tunable visible light. The conversion scheme uses noncritically phase-matched second-harmonic generation of a pulsed Nd:YAG-pumped LiF:F2- laser in lithium triborate. Optimization yields 42% LiF:F2- laser efficiency and 56% frequency-doubling efficiency, providing >20% conversion from 1064 nm to broadly tunable visible output. A dramatic sensitivity of laser efficiency to pump pulse duration is recorded, with a fundamental efficiency improvement of over 30-fold measured for an increase in pump pulse duration from 5 to 34 ns.