Slow light on Gbit/s differential-phase-shift-keying signals

We demonstrate, via simulation and experiment, slowing down of a phase-modulated optical signal. A 10.7-Gb/s NRZ-DPSK signal can be delayed by as much as 42 ps while still achieving error free via broadband SBS-based slow light. We further analyze the impact of slow-light-induced data-pattern dependence on both constructive and destructive demodulated ports. By detuning the SBS gain profile, we achieve 3-dB Q-factor improvement by the reduction of pattern dependence. Performance comparison between NRZ-DPSK and RZ-DPSK shows that robustness to slow-light-induced pattern dependence is modulation format dependent. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.