In this article, we have proposed and demonstrated a new approach to implementing microwave photonic filter (MPF) with switchable, tunable and reconfigurable passbands based on a multi-wavelength fiber laser (MWFL) cooperating with a fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer (FMZI). An EDFA and an SOA have been employed as a hybrid gain medium in the laser cavity, to suppress the homogeneous broadening of EDF. By inserting the FMZI in the fiber laser cavity, MWFL with tunable and switchable wavelength spacing has been achieved, which can be used as the multi-wavelength optical source to implement switchable, tunable and reconfigurable MPF together with a dispersive medium. By tuning the length of variable optical delay line (VODL), the wavelength spacing of the MWFL can be changed, and thus the passband’s central frequency of the MPF. By adjusting the polarization states, gain of EDFA or SOA of the laser cavity, the shape of the laser output can be adjustable, and as a result, shape-adjustable passbands of the MPF have been realized. By introducing the reflective FMZI structure as the wavelength selective component and carefully adjusting the polarization states, half number of the passband can be suppressed, which means the MPF can be switchable. The proposed MPF exhibits shape-adjustable and switchable passbands and enjoys more flexibility compared to previous methods.

在本文中，我们提出并展示了一种基于多波长光纤激光器 (MWFL) 与光纤马赫-曾德干涉仪 (FMZI) 合作实现具有可切换、可调谐和可重构通带的微波光子滤波器 (MPF) 的新方法。EDFA 和 SOA 已被用作激光腔中的混合增益介质，以抑制 EDF 的均匀展宽。通过将FMZI插入光纤激光器腔内，实现了波长间隔可调、可切换的MWFL，可作为多波长光源与色散介质一起实现可切换、可调谐、可重构的MPF。通过调整可变光延迟线 (VODL) 的长度，可以改变 MWFL 的波长间隔，从而改变 MPF 的通带中心频率。通过调整激光腔的偏振态、EDFA或SOA增益，可以实现激光输出的形状可调，从而实现了MPF的形状可调通带。通过引入反射式FMZI结构作为波长选择元件，并仔细调整偏振态，可以抑制通带的一半数，这意味着MPF可以切换。与以前的方法相比，所提出的 MPF 具有形状可调和可切换的通带，并且具有更大的灵活性。可以抑制半数通带，这意味着MPF可以切换。与以前的方法相比，所提出的 MPF 具有形状可调和可切换的通带，并且具有更大的灵活性。可以抑制半数通带，这意味着MPF可以切换。与以前的方法相比，所提出的 MPF 具有形状可调和可切换的通带，并且具有更大的灵活性。