Single-Channel 1.28 Tbit/s-525 km DQPSK Transmission Using Ultrafast Time-Domain Optical Fourier Transformation and Nonlinear Optical Loop Mirror

We demonstrate a single-channel 1.28Tbit/s-525km transmission using OTDM of subpicosecond DQPSK signals. In order to cope with transmission impairments due to time-varying higher-order PMD, which is one of the major limiting factors in such a long-haul ultrahigh-speed transmission, we newly developed an ultrafast time-domain optical Fourier transformation technique in a round-trip configuration. By applying this technique to subpicosecond pulses, transmission impairments were greatly reduced, and BER performance below FEC limit was obtained with increased system margin.