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This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation on the generation of a microwave frequency comb (MFC) using a semiconductor laser subjected to periodic-modulated optical injection. To enhance performance, optoelectronic feedback is incorporated through a dual-drive Mach–Zehnder modulator. The results show that the first optoelectronic feedback loop, with a delay time inversely proportional to the modulation frequency, can optimize MFC generation through a mode-locking effect and the second optoelectronic feedback loop with a multiple delay time of the first one can further enhance the performance of the MFC. The comb linewidth appears to decrease with the increase in the second-loop delay time in the power function. These results are consistent with experimental observations reported in the literature. We also explore the impact of the feedback index on comb contrast, the statistical characteristics of the central 128 lines within the MFC, and side peak suppression. The simulation results demonstrate the presence of an optimal feedback index. The study also reveals that linewidth reduction, through increasing the feedback index and delay time, comes at the cost of declining side peak suppression. These findings collectively contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors influencing MFC generation and pave the way for the design and optimization of high-performance MFC systems for various applications.

We study theoretically the Fano resonances (FRs) produced by the near-field coupling between the lowest-order (dipolar) sphere plasmon resonance and the dipolar cavity plasmon mode supported by an Ag nanoshell or the hybrid mode in a simple three-layered Ag nanomatryushka constructed by incorporating a solid Ag nanosphere into the center of Ag nanoshell. We find that the linewidth of dipolar cavity plasmon resonance or hybrid mode induced FR is as narrow as 6.8 nm (corresponding to a high Q-factor of ~160 and a long dephasing time of ~200 fs) due to the highly localized feature of the electric-fields. In addition, we attribute the formation mechanisms of typical asymmetrical Fano line profiles in the extinction spectra to the constructive (Fano peak) and the destructive interferences (Fano dip) arising from the symmetric and asymmetric charge distributions between the dipolar sphere and cavity plasmon or hybrid modes. Interestingly, by simply adjusting the structural parameters, the dielectric refractive index required for the strongest FR in the Ag nanomatryushka can be reduced to be as small as 1.4, which largely reduces the restriction on materials, and the positions of FR can also be easily tuned across a broad spectral range. The ultranarrow linewidth, highly tunability together with the huge enhancement of electric fields at the FR may find important applications in sensing, slow light, and plasmon rulers.

An energy-efficient optical access network scheme based on sub-band grouping and allocating is proposed and studied for the digital filter multiple access adopted passive optical network (DFMA-PON). In this scheme, sub-bands generated in digital sdomain are grouped as band groups and properly allocated for optical network unit (ONU) transmissions to reduce the transmission time. Based on this, longer sleeping time can be provided to each ONU, and some more energy can be saved. Numerical evaluations indicate that comparing with basic DFMA-PON, significant energy is saved by the proposed scheme, and a promoted energy saving performance can be achieved by properly arranging the number of sub-bands assigned in a band group. Furthermore, the technology improvement and its impact on the performance of the scheme are also investigated. It is demonstrated that comparing with the conventional network, the proposed scheme possesses prominent energy saving potential. It can be considered as a potential solution for future energy-efficient optical access network.

An energy-efficient and survivable optical access network structure is proposed and investigated. Based on a structure model of multilayer-ring, the access network is divided into four layers and modules on a same layer are interconnected as a ring. Therefore, multiple paths are available for optical network units to access an optical line terminal, which not only provides convenience in traffic aggregation, but also guarantees the survivability of network. With this structure, quantities of standby modules are reduced to decrease both capital cost and power cost. Large part of power can also be saved by turning off idle modules through traffic aggregation. Moreover, by controlling the optical switches deployed in remote node, elastic reach access is realized as well since amplification is optional on transmission links. Theoretical and numerical analyses indicate that the scheme shows great advantages on power saving, network survivability, as well as the system flexibility, and its energy efficiency performance can be further improved by operating in conjunction with energy-efficient resource scheduling scheme. It provides a potential structure for next generation optical access network.