Even harmonic pulse train generation by cross-polarization-modulation seeded instability in optical fibers

International audience; We show that, by properly adjusting the relative state of polarization of the pump and of a weak modulation, with a frequency such that at least one of its even harmonics falls within the band of modulation instability, one obtains a fully modulated wave at the second or higher even harmonic of the initial modulation. An application of this principle to the generation of a 80-GHz optical pulse train with high extinction ratio from a 40-GHz weakly modulated pump is experimentally demonstrated using a nonzero dispersion shifted fiber in the telecom C band.