1. Introduction

In many optical systems, the required photon frequencies differ from the frequencies at which the transmitters emit photons or the receivers detect them efficiently. For this reason, optical frequency conversion (FC) is important. Parametric amplification (PA) in a fiber is based on four-wave mixing (FWM). Not only does FWM produce amplified signals, it also produces idlers that are frequency-shifted and phase-conjugated images of the signals. Consequently, PAs have many uses in classical communication systems [1, 2]. However, with amplification comes noise [3, 4]. Although this noise might not impair the performance of classical (many-photon) systems, it does change the characteristics of quantal (few-photon) systems. Consequently, Pas must be used with caution in few-photon systems.

PA driven by two pump waves (1 and 2) involves four product waves (sidebands) that are coupled by three distinct FWM processes, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Suppose that the signal frequency ω ₁₊ = ω ₁ + ω, where ω is the modulation frequency, and let γ denote a photon. Then the modulation interaction (MI) in which 2γ ₁ → γ _1- + γ ₁₊ produces an idler with frequency ω _1- = ω ₁ - ω, the phase-conjugation (PC) process in which γ ₁ + γ ₂ → γ ₁₊ + γ _2- produces an idler with frequency ω _2- = ω ₂ - ω and the Bragg scattering (BS), or FC, process in which γ ₁₊ + γ ₂ → γ ₁ + γ ₂₊ produces an idler with frequency ω ₂₊ = ω ₂ + ω. In MI and PC, pump photons are destroyed in pairs, whereas sideband (signal and idler) photons are produced in pairs. This behavior enables signal amplification and idler generation. However, it also enables the vacuum fluctuations associated with the signal and idler to be amplified: (excess) noise is produced [5, 6]. In BS, for each idler photon that is created, a signal photon is destroyed: Power is transferred from the signal to the idler. Because the total sideband power is constant, the vacuum fluctuations are not amplified: no (excess) noise is produced [5, 6]. This distinctive feature of BS suggests that it might be useful for FC in few-photon systems.

 

Fig. 1. Illustration of the constituent two-mode processes in a four-mode parametric interaction driven by two pump waves.

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2. State translation by Bragg scattering

In studies of FWM it is customary to use a classical model for the strong (constant-amplitude) pumps (1 and 2) and a quantal model for the weak (variable-amplitude) sidebands (1+ and 2+). In this paper the 1+ sideband is the signal (s) and the 2+ sideband is the idler (i). The analysis of the complementary case, in which the 2+ sideband is the signal and the 1+ sideband is the idler, is similar. BS in a χ ⁽³⁾ medium, such as a fiber, is governed by the Hamiltonian

together with the (spatial) Heisenberg equations-of-motion

where d_z = d/dz and j = s or i [3, 4, 5, 6]. In Eqs. (1) and (2), each a is a destruction operator and each hermitian conjugate a ^† is a creation operator. These operators satisfy the boson commutation relations [a_j , a_k ] = 0 and [a_j , $a_k^{†}$] = δ_jk , where δ_jk is the Kronecker delta and k = s or i. The parameters δ and κ quantify the effects of wavenumber mismatch and pump-induced coupling, respectively.

By combining Eqs. (1) and (2), one obtains the operator equations

The solutions of Eqs. (3) and (4) can be written in the input-output form

where the transfer functions

and the BS wavenumber k = (|κ|² + δ ²)^1/2. The transfer functions satisfy the auxiliary equation |μ̅|² + |ν̅|² = 1, which ensures that the BS transformation is unitary and conserves photons. Equations (5) and (6) have the same form as the equations for parametric frequency up-conversion in a χ ⁽²⁾ medium [3] and anti-Stokes scattering in a Raman medium [7].

Consider the effects of BS on an input that consists of one signal photon and no idler photons. The state vector associated with such an input is denoted by |1,0〉. In the Heisenberg picture the state vector remains constant while the mode operators evolve. It is a matter of convenience whether one expresses the state vector in terms of the input or output modes. By recognizing that |1,0〉_in = $a_s^{†}$(0) |0,0〉_in and |0,0〉_in = |0,0〉_out, and using the inverse of Eq. (5) to rewrite the input-mode operator $a_s^{†}$(0) in terms of the output-mode operators $a_s^{†}$(z) and $a_i^{†}$(z), one finds that

Hence, if |ν̅| = 1 (|μ̅| = 0), the output state |0,1〉 is a perfect frequency-shifted (translated) image of the input state |1,0〉. Because the phase of the state vector has no physical meaning, this statement is true for arbitrary ϕ _ν̅ = arg(ν̅).

Similar results apply to other one-mode input states. Consider the input |s, 0〉 = Σ_n c_n |n,0〉, where s is the label for the signal state (not a photon number). In abbreviated notation, |s〉 = Σ _nc_n |n〉_s, where |n〉_s is a signal number-state. The first-order (field-amplitude) moment 〈a_s 〉 = Σ _n$c_n^{*}$ c_n+1 (n+l)^1/2 and the second-order (photon-number) moment 〈$a_s^{†}$ a_s 〉 = Σ_n|c_n |² n. It follows from Eq. (9) and the identity |n〉 = (a ^†)ⁿ|0〉/(n!)^1/2 that the output |0,i〉 = Σ_n c_n e ^inϕ|0,n〉, where ϕ = π - ϕ _ν̂. In abbreviated notation, |i〉 = Σ_n c_n e^inϕ |n〉_i, where |n〉_i is an idler number-state. In the number-state expansions of the input and output states, the idler coefficients differ from the signal coefficients by factors of e^inϕ . The first-order moment 〈a_i 〉 = Σ_n $c_n^{*}$ c _n+1(n+1)^1/2 e^iϕ and the second-order moment 〈$a_i^{†}$ a_i 〉 = Σ_n|c_n |² n. By comparing the signal and idler formulas, one finds that the signal and idler phases differ by ϕ, whereas their magnitudes and numbers are equal. Similar results can be derived for the higher-order moments, such as the amplitude and number variances. It follows from these results that the probability distributions of the signal and idler amplitudes are related by a rigid rotation in the complex plane, whereas the number variances of the signal and idler are equal. For example, if the input is a coherent signal, the output is a coherent idler.

Now suppose that the input consists of two signal photons, denoted by s and s′, and no idler photons. These photons could have different frequencies or polarizations, and they could be independent (produced by different lasers) or correlated (produced by prior MI or PC). In any case, the Hamiltonian contains two terms of the form (1). The first term pertains to s and i, whereas the second pertains to s′ and i′. The second pair of signal and idler modes also satisfies the commutation relations stated after Eq. (2). Furthermore, [a′, a] = 0 and [a′,a ^†] = 0, where a is a signal or an idler mode. These relations imply that the composite evolution operator can be written as the product of two individual evolution operators, one for each pair of signal and idler modes: Each pair evolves independently of the other. Let |1,0; 1,0〉 denote the input state.

Then, by following the procedure described above, one finds that

Hence, if |ν̅| = 1 and |ν̅′| = 1 simultaneously, the output state |0,1;0,1〉 is a perfect image of the input state |1,0; 1,0〉.

Similar results apply to other two-mode input states. The input |s,0;s′,0〉 = Σ_nΣ_n′ c_nn′ |n,0;n′,0〉, which has the abbreviated form |s:s′〉 = Σ_n Σ_n′ c_nn′ |n:n′〉_s, becomes the output |i;i′〉 = Σ_n Σ_n′ c_nn′ e ^{i(nϕ+n′ϕ′)} |n:n′〉_i For example, if the input consists of two coherent signals (in which case the input state is the product of two one-mode superposition states and two vacuum states), the output consists of two coherent (and phase-shifted) idlers. If the input is the entangled state |0;0′〉_s + |1;1′〉_s, the output is the entangled state |0;0′〉_i + e ^i(ϕ+ϕ′) |l;1′〉_i.

3. Bragg scattering in a highly-nonlinear fiber

Several different types of fiber exist. Asymmetric single-mode fibers (SMFs) and microstructured fibers (MSFs) are birefringent and polarization-maintaining. Highly-nonlinear fibers (HNFs), which are symmetric SMFs with small effective areas, are non-birefringent and non-polarization-maintaining. Although the absolute polarizations of the pumps, signals and idlers vary with distance in a HNF, the relative polarizations remain constant, provided that the HNF is not too long or the frequency differences between the waves are not too large [8]. FWM in both types of fiber has been studied in detail [9, 10, 11]. This paper focuses on BS in HNFs, because these fibers enabled the recent progress in parametric signal processing [1, 2]. For comparison, BS in asymmetric SMFs and MSFs is discussed briefly in the Appendix.

In a HNF the BS mismatch δ = (β_s + β ₂ - β_i - β ₁)/2 + γ(P₁ - P₂)/2, where each β is a wavenumber, γ is the (Kerr) nonlinearity coefficient (multiplied by a factor of 8/9) and each P = |A|² is a pump power [11]. For the configuration shown in Fig. 2(a), the coupling coefficient κ _∥ = 2γ A ₁ $A_2^{*}$, whereas for the configurations shown in Figs. 2(b) and 3(a), κ _⊥ = γA ₁ $A_2^{*}$.

 

Fig. 2. Eigenpolarizations of BS driven by parallel pumps.

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Fig. 3. Eigenpolarizations of BS driven by perpendicular pumps. The dashed lines denote sidebands that propagate independently.

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For the configuration shown in Fig. 3(b), κ = 0. The configurations shown in Fig. 2 produce idlers that are parallel to the signals, whereas the configuration shown in Fig. 3(a) produces an idler that is perpendicular to the signal. In Figs. 2 and 3 the symbol ∥ refers to any polarization (Jones) vector that is used for reference and the symbol ⊥ refers to any other vector that is orthogonal (perpendicular) to it. For example, these vectors could represent perpendicular linearly-polarized states, or counter-rotating circularly-polarized states.

4. Translation of individual states

Consider the case in which the signal frequency (ω_s ) and the second-pump frequency (ω₂ ) are fixed. One can vary (tune) the idler frequency (ω_i ) by varying the first-pump frequency (ω ₁). It is convenient to define the auxiliary frequencies ω_a = (ω_s + ω ₂)/2, ω_b = (ω ₂ - ω_s )/2 and ω_c = (ω_i - ω ₁)/2, in terms of which ω ₁ = ω_a - ω_c , ω_s = ω_a - ω_b , ω ₂ = ω_a + ω_b and ω_i = ω_a + ω_c . All frequencies are measured relative to the zero-dispersion frequency (ZDF) ω ₀. By Taylor expanding the mismatch about the average frequency ω_a , one finds that

where β ₂ and β ₄ are abbreviations for the second- and fourth-order dispersion coefficients β ₍₂₎(ω_a ) ≈ β ⁽³⁾(ω ₀)ω_a and β ⁽⁴⁾(ω_a ) ≈ β ⁽⁴⁾(ω₀ ), respectively. Equations (11) and (12) apply to typical cases in which P ₂ = P ₁ = P. By varying ω ₁, one varies ω_c (dω_c /dω ₁ = -1). It follows from Eq. (11) that

First, suppose that β ₂ = 0. Then δ = 0 if and only if ω_c = ±ω_b . The + sign corresponds to ω ₁ = ω_s and ω_i = ω ₂, whereas the - sign corresponds to ω ₁ = ω ₂ and ω_i = ω_s . Because dδ/dω_c ≠ 0, the aforementioned values of ω_c are single roots of the polynomial equation δ(ω_c ) = 0. If the difference frequency is low (ω_b ≪ |γP/β ₄|^1/4), Eq. (11) implies that the bandwidth over which the idler frequency can be tuned is of order |24γP/β ₄|^1/4. Conversely, if the difference frequency is high Eq. (13) implies that the tuning bandwidth is of order |6γP/β ₄ ${\omega }_b^3$|. In this case the tuning bandwidth depends sensitively on β ₄, and even more sensitively on ω_b .

Second, suppose that β ₂ ≠ 0. Then, just as one can modify the frequency response of MI and PC by choosing β ₂ to compensate (partially) the effects of β ₄ [12, 13, 14], so also can one modify the frequency response of BS. It follows from Eq. (12) that one can make any value of ω_c a root of the polynomial equation (produce an idler with arbitrary frequency) by setting β ₂ + β ₄ (${\omega }_b^2$ + ${\omega }_c^2$)/12 = 0, in which case dδ/dω ₁ = δ ₄ ω_c (${\omega }_c^2$ - ${\omega }_b^2$)/12. If ω_c ≫ ω_b , the tuning bandwidth is of order |12γP/β ₄ ${\omega }_c^3$|, and depends sensitively on δ ⁴ and ω_c . One can also make ω_b a double root by setting β ₂ + β ₄ ωb ²/6 = 0, in which case d ² δ/${d\omega }_1^2$ = -β ₄ ωb ²/3 and the tuning bandwidth is of order |6γP/β ₄ ${\omega }_b^2$|^1/2. The tuning bandwidth depends less sensitively on β ₄ and ω_b (ω_c ) in the double-root case than in the single-root case.

In Fig. 4 the signal and idler transmittances are plotted as functions of the first-pump frequency, for cases in which β ₃ = 0.1 ps³/Km, β ₄ = 10^-4 ps⁴/Km, γ= 10/Km-W, P = 0.3 W and l = 0.26 Km (parallel pumps) or 0.52 Km (perpendicular pumps). In Fig. 4(a) the signal and second-pump frequencies are symmetric relative to the ZDF, so ω ₁ = -5.0 Tr/s is a single root of the polynomial equation δ(ω ₁) = 0. As the first-pump frequency varies from -18 to 0, the idler frequency varies from 18 to 0: The maximal frequency shift is 23. In Fig. 4(b) the signal and second-pump frequencies are asymmetric, and the second root ω ₁ ≈ -24. As the first-pump frequency varies from -28 to 0, the idler frequency varies from about 28 to 0: The maximal frequency shift is about 33.

 

Fig. 4. Signal transmittance (solid curve) and idler transmittance (dashed curve) plotted as functions of the pump frequency ω ₁. The vertical line denotes the signal frequency ω_s . (a) ω_s = -5.0 and ω ₂ = 5.0 Tr/s. (b) ω_s = -5.05 and ω ₂ = 4.95.

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In Fig. 5 the signal and idler transmittances are plotted as functions of the first-pump frequency, for the same fiber and power parameters as Fig. 4. In Fig. 5(a) the signal and second-pump frequencies were chosen to produce a narrow tuning band (single root) for ω ₁ ≈ -80 Tr/s. For this value of the first-pump frequency, the idler frequency is about 80, so the frequency shift is about 85. In Fig. 5(b) the signal and second-pump frequencies were chosen to produce a broader tuning band (adjacent roots). As the first-pump frequency varies from -48 to -38, the idler frequency varies from about 48 to 38: The frequency shift varies from about 88 to 78. In Fig. 5(b) the pump frequency is comparable to the signal frequency. This condition allows the MI and PC idlers (1- and 2-, respectively) to be driven near-resonantly. Four-sideband interactions driven by parallel and perpendicular pumps were studied in [9] and [10], respectively. In the first case all four sidebands are parallel to the pumps, whereas in the second case the 1 -and 1+ sidebands are parallel to pump 1, and the 2- and 2+ sidebands are parallel to pump 2: The configurations shown in Figs. 2(a) and 3(a) are susceptible to four-sideband effects (such as parametric amplification and noise production), whereas the configuration shown in Fig. 2(b) is not.

 

Fig. 5. Signal transmittance (solid curve) and idler transmittance (dashed curve) plotted as functions of the pump frequency ω ₁. The vertical line denotes the signal frequency ω_s . (a) ω_s = -5.53 and ω ₂ = 4.47 Tr/s. (b) ω_s = -40.31 and ω ₂ = 39.69.

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5. Translation of frequency-entangled states

Section 4 contained a discussion of how the idler frequency can be varied when the signal frequency is fixed. This information is useful for applications in which one needs to translate a state with one frequency component. In this section the translation of a state with two frequency components (ω_s and ω′_s ) is discussed. These component states could be independent, correlated or entangled. The distortionless translation of such a state requires that |ν̅|² = 1 and |ν̅′|² = 1 (δ = 0 and δ′ = 0) simultaneously. This requirement prompts a discussion of how the idler transmittance (mismatch) depends on the signal frequency, for fixed pump frequencies.

The mismatch and the auxiliary frequencies were defined in Section 4. (For fixed pump frequencies, d ω_a /dω_s = 1/2, dω_b /dω_s = -1/2 and dω_c /dω_s = 1/2.) It follows from Eq. (11), in which β ₂ = β ₃ ω_a , that

Equation (12) implies that δ = 0 if ω_c = ±ω_b . The + sign corresponds to ω_s = ω ₁, whereas the - sign corresponds to ω ₁ = ω ₂. Because the frequency shift ω_i - ω_s = ω ₂ - ω ₁, the latter case is of no interest. Equation (12) also implies that δ = 0 if β ₃ ω_a + β ₄(${\omega }_b^2$ + ${\omega }_c^2$)/12 = 0. For typical fiber and power parameters, this condition is satisfied if ω_s ≈ -ω ₂ - (β ₄/6β ₃) (${\omega }_1^2$ + ${\omega }_2^2$). For most pump frequencies, the roots of the polynomial equation are distinct and the (common) range of signal frequencies for which idler generation occurs is of order |4γ P/β ₃(${\omega }_1^2$ - ${\omega }_2^2$)|. One can produce coincident roots by setting ω ₁ ≈ -ω ₂, in which case the signal-frequency bandwidth is of order |4γ P/β ₃(ω ₂ - ω ₁)|^1/2. Notice that the signal-frequency (conversion) bandwidth is limited by β ₃, rather than β ₄.

In Fig. 6 the signal and idler transmittances are plotted as functions of the signal frequency, for the same fiber and power parameters as Fig. 4. In Fig. 6(a) the pump frequencies were chosen to produce distinct signal-conversion bands (distinct roots) for ω_s ≈ -20 and ω_s ≈ -5 Tr/s. For these values of the signal frequency, the idler frequencies are about 5 and 20, respectively, so the (common) frequency shift is about 25. However, the (common) conversion bandwidth is too narrow to be useful. In Fig. 6(b) the pump frequencies were chosen to produce a broader conversion band (coincident roots). As the signal frequency varies from - 11 to -9, the idler frequency varies from 9 to 11, so the frequency shift is 20. For the chosen parameters, the conversion bandwidth is still quite narrow. One could obtain better performance by using a fiber with higher nonlinearity or lower third-order dispersion (slope), or pumps with higher powers.

 

Fig. 6. Signal transmittance (solid curve) and idler transmittance (dashed curve) plotted as functions of the signal frequency ω_s . (a) ω ₁ = -20 and ω ₂ = 5 Tr/s. (b) ω ₁ = -10 and ω ₂ = 10.

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In Fig. 7 the signal and idler transmittances are plotted as functions of the signal frequency, for the same pump frequencies as Fig. 6(b). The benefits of higher nonlinearity and higher power are shown in Fig. 7(a), whereas the benefits of lower dispersion slope are shown in Fig. 7(b). In each case the conversion bandwidth is broad enough to be useful.

6. Translation of polarization-entangled states

The eigenpolarizations associated with BS in a HNF were illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. If δ = 0 and the pumps are parallel, the BS wavenumber for a parallel signal and idler (k _∥) is twice the wavenumber for a perpendicular signal and idler (k _⊥): Maxima of the perpendicular idler transmittance correspond to minima of the parallel transmittance. Alternatively, if δ = 0 and the pumps are perpendicular, a signal that is parallel to pump 1 (perpendicular to pump 2) produces an idler, whereas a signal that is perpendicular to pump 1 (parallel to pump 2) produces no idler. These dependences of the idler transmittance on the signal polarization makes BS in a HNF unsuitable for the translation of states with two (independent, correlated or entangled) polarization components. The polarization dependence of BS in asymmetric SMFs and MSFs is discussed briefly in the Appendix.

 

Fig. 7. Signal transmittance (solid curve) and idler transmittance (dashed curve) plotted as functions of the signal frequency ω_s . The pump frequencies ω ₁ = -10 and ω ₂ = 10 Tr/s. (a) β ₃ = 0.1 ps³/Km, γ= 20/Km-W and P = 1.0 W. (b) β ₃ = 0.01, γ = 10 and P = 0.3.

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It was demonstrated recently that the idler transmittance associated with BS in a twisted (or spun) SMF, driven by two co-rotating, circularly-polarized pumps, depends only weakly on the signal polarization [15]. This realization of BS is suitable for the translation of polarization-entangled states. BS in a spun fiber is discussed briefly in the Appendix, and its lack of polarization dependence is explained.

7. Noise induced by stimulated Raman scattering

In spontaneous and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), an incident (pump) light wave with frequency ω_p scatters from a vibration of the medium, with frequency ω, to produce a Stokes lightwave with frequency ω_p - ω [16]. Typically, the Stokes wave is polarized (predominantly) parallel to the pump [17]. SRS produces noise by amplifying the vacuum fluctuations associated with the Stokes mode and the thermal fluctuations associated with the vibrational mode [18]. It was pointed out recently [19, 20] that SRS increases slightly the noise figures of PAs based on FWM (MI or PC). In a HNF, the SRS bandwidth (range of ω for which amplification occurs) is about 100 Tr/s.

Consider the effects of SRS noise on BS in a HNF. The noise field generated by pump 1 is polarized parallel to pump 1 and (if the anti-Stokes process can be neglected) contains only frequencies lower than ω ₁. Hence, it cannot affect the signal (1+) and idler (2+) modes. The noise field generated by pump 2 can affect the 1+ mode directly, but not the 2+ mode. However, the noise component with frequency ω ₁₊ is coupled to the component with frequency ω ₂₊ by the same BS process that couples the signal and idler. The conditions that maximize the transfer of power from the signal to the idler, namely δ = 0 and kz = π/2, also maximize the transfer of power from the 1+ component to the 2+ component. Hence, the configuration shown in Fig. 2(a) produces an idler that is modified (polluted) by SRS noise. For the configuration shown in Fig. 2(b), the noise component with frequency ω ₁₊ is polarized parallel to pump 2 and is coupled to the parallel component at frequency ω ₂₊. Because the idler is perpendicular, one could use a polarization-sensitive device to filter out the parallel noise. However, for the optimal case, in which δ = 0, k _⊥ z = π/2 and |ν̅_⊥|² = 1, one does not need to, because k _∥ = 2k _⊥ and |ν̅_∥|² = 0: No noise is transferred to the idler. For the configuration shown in Fig. 3(a), the noise component with frequency ω ₁₊ is perpendicular to pump 1 (parallel to pump 2). As shown in Fig. 3(b), this noise component is not coupled to the component with frequency ω ₂₊ that is parallel to pump 1 (perpendicular to pump 2): No noise is ever transferred to the idler.

As stated in Section 6, the signal and idler transmittances associated with BS in a spun fiber do not depend on the polarization of the input signal. Hence, there is always a transfer of power from the noise component with frequency ω ₁₊ to the component with frequency ω ₂₊: Polarization-independent translation comes at the price of SRS noise. Although one could use a polarization-dependent device to remove the noise, which co-rotates with the pumps, by doing so one would restore the polarization dependence of BS, which the spun fiber was intended to remove.

The preceding conclusions should be valid in the standard regime, in which the pump powers are moderate, the frequency difference between the pump and Stokes (signal) waves is large, the anti-Stokes source term and the coupling between the Stokes and anti-Stokes waves are weak, and the perpendicular SRS gain is much lower than the parallel gain. Further work is required to model the effects of SRS on BS in the complementary regime, in which nearly polarization-independent SRS was observed recently [21].

8. Summary

In this paper a study was made of optical frequency conversion (translation) by Bragg scattering (BS) in a highly-nonlinear fiber (HNF). In this process, the interaction of two strong pump waves and a weak signal wave produces an idler wave, which is a translated image of the signal. Several combinations of pump and signal polarizations were considered. For the configurations shown in Figs. 2(a) and 2(b), the idler is generated parallel to the signal. The discussion of Section 7 suggests that in the former configuration the idler is polluted by the noise associated with stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), whereas in the latter it is not. For the configuration shown in Fig. 3(a), the idler is generated perpendicular to the signal and is not polluted by noise. If the pump and signal frequencies and polarizations are chosen judiciously, BS in a HNF enables the translation of various individual and frequency-entangled states.

For parameters that are typical of current experiments with HNFs, theory predicts that idlers can be produced with frequencies that differ from the signal frequencies by about 80 Tr/s. If the second-pump and signal frequencies are fixed, the idler frequency can be varied (tuned) by about 30 Tr/s, by varying the first-pump frequency. If both pump frequencies are fixed, signals with frequencies in a range of about 2 Tr/s (standard HNF) or 8 Tr/s (reduced-dispersion-slope HNF) can be converted efficiently. As fiber manufacturing improves, so also will the available signal-idler frequency shift, and the signal tuning and conversion bandwidths.

BS also occurs in birefringent and spun fibers. Because of fiber anisotropy, the properties of BS in a birefringent fiber depend on the signal polarization: BS in such a fiber can be used to translate individual and frequency-entangled states, but cannot be used to translate polarization-entangled states with high fidelity. In contrast, BS in a spun fiber is polarization-independent and can be used to translate individual, frequency-entangled and polarization-entangled states. However, polarization-independent translation comes at the price of SRS noise.