Low-noise parametric frequency comb for continuous C-plus-L-band 16-QAM channels generation

A low phase noise frequency comb generated from a continuous-wave seed is experimentally demonstrated across continuous C- and L-bands. Parametrically generated carriers with optical signal-to-noise ratio in excess of 45dB were used to generate 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulated signals. We characterize 20 GBaud channels' performance that was varied by only 1.7 dB across the combined C/L band. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America