Optimal frequency conversion in the nonlinear stage of modulation instability

TL;DR

This paper studies the optimal conditions for frequency conversion in nonlinear modulation instability in optical fibers, demonstrating that lower seeding frequencies enable near-complete pump power transfer into sidebands, achieving 95% conversion efficiency.

Contribution

It provides both theoretical and experimental evidence that lower seeding modulation frequencies improve pump-to-sideband power transfer in MI, with analytical predictions matching observed results.

Findings

95% of pump power converted into sidebands

Lower seeding frequency than MI gain peak is optimal

Analytical predictions align with experimental data

Abstract

We investigate multi-wave mixing associated with the strongly pump depleted regime of induced modulation instability (MI) in optical fibers. For a complete transfer of pump power into the sideband modes, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that it is necessary to use a much lower seeding modulation frequency than the peak MI gain value. Our analysis shows that a record 95 % of the input pump power is frequency converted into the comb of sidebands, in good quantitative agreement with analytical predictions based on the simplest exact breather solution of the nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation.