title: Frequency translation of light waves by propagation around an optical ring circuit containing a frequency shifter: I. Experiment.
abstract: A technique for the external frequency translation of light waves is reported. The technique permits the stepwise sweeping of an optical frequency over a wide range with high linearity with respect to time. The frequency translator is composed of an optical pulse modulator and an optical ring circuit containing an acousto-optic frequency shifter and an optical amplifier. The pulse launched into the ring circuit undergoes a constant frequency shift for each circulation around the circuit and the frequency can be translated to a considerable degree from that of the original input pulse. We report a stepwise frequency translation over approximately 68 GHz for a 1.5-µm light wave with a strictly constant frequency-sweep rate and an approximately constant intensity.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Horiguchi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Koyamada