Differential group delay monitoring using an all-optical signal spectrum-analyser

We demonstrate an all-optical device that monitors differential group delay (DGD) degradation of picosecond optical pulses. This device is based on an ultrafast all-optical signal analyser that uses nonlinear effects (cross-phase modulation) to transfer rapid temporal fluctuations into frequency domain effects that can be measured on an conventional optical spectrum analyser (incorporating a slow-detector). This monitoring scheme will enable rapid dynamic monitoring and compensation of DGD in ultrafast optical networks, at 160 Gb/s data rates and beyond, where electronic monitoring techniques cannot operate. We discuss the required signal polarisation condition.