Enhancing optical modulator and link performance through modulation instability: design, simulation and implementation

In future optical communication applications, broadband tools and technologies are essential for increasing transfer and processing speeds. Conventional microwave tools are too slow and inflexible to meet these demands. Photonic microwave technology offers that most current solution to this issue, utilizing modulation tools to convert microwave signals to the optical domain. However, these modulation tools face significant challenges, including low bandwidth and high voltage requirements. Although various methods have been proposed in recent decades to address these issues, most increase structural complexity and cost without significantly improving modulator performance and bandwidth. In this article, by using a modulation instability in optical fibers, without manipulating and complicating the structure of the modulator and only by using common modulators, their bandwidth was multiplied and the required voltage was significantly reduced. Finally, a special fiber channel was designed, which showed a much better performance.