Optimization of a degenerate dual-pump phase-sensitive optical parametric amplifier for all-optical regenerative functionality

We present a thorough investigation aimed at the optimization of a phase-sensitive optical parametric amplifier capable of simultaneous phase and amplitude regeneration. The regeneration potential, quantified in terms of the phase-sensitive extinction ratio, has been carefully assessed by a scalar model involving high-order waves associated with high-order four-wave mixing processes, going beyond the usual three-wave approach. Additionally, this model permits to unveil the physics involved in the high-order waves assisted regeneration. This permits a multi-dimensional and comprehensive optimization that fully exploits the underlying regenerative capability and expedites the design of a transparent regenerator, showing the potential to act as basic building block in future all-optical processing. We also compare different strategies when such regenerators are configured in concatenation. The approach can be readily applied to virtually any similar applications for different all-optical processing functionalities.