Integrated all-optical wavelength and polarization conversion of orbital angular momentum carrying modes.

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) using higher-order spatial modes such as orbital angular momentum (OAM) through a channelized bandwidth provides enhanced capacity communication systems. An all-optical wavelength converter is a key function in implemented WDM networks to overcome the wavelength contentions. In addition, a polarization converter provides efficient control on the state of polarization for encoded data channels in the optical networks. This paper proposes a novel versatile-designed integrated optical device with Y-cut ridge lithium niobate photonic wire configuration that acts as a wavelength or polarization converter for data modulated on OAM. It is schemed in such a way that generates decomposed guided modes with a new wavelength and polarization via cascaded second harmonic generation/difference frequency generation (cSHG/DFG) and type-II DFG nonlinear interactions, respectively, where their desired relative phase is achieved by a linear electro-optical effect in the successive phase shifter part. The low loss <= 0.09 dB/cm, high purity (>= 94%), and low voltage (<= 4 V) of the high-speed proposed modulator enable its compatible operation in commercial wireless and fiber-based polarization-multiplexed WDM communication systems. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America