Low input power wavelength converter using a gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier

A laser wavelength converter using a gain clamped (GC) SOA was proposed for low input power characteristic. Wavelength conversion from communication wavelengths of 1530 to 1560 nm to fixed wavelength of 1510.8 nm was experimentally demonstrated for CW and data at 2.5 Gb/s input signals. Because of high threshold current and high input power coupling efficiency of the GC-SOA the proposed wavelength converter showed low input power range of -13.5 to -11 dBm, the lowest to the best of our knowledge, for TE-mode signals. It is certain to convert a wavelength into specific wavelength in communication band if a GC-SOA lasing at the specific wavelength is used. The low power characteristics can remove completely the usage of an amplifier before the wavelength converter and therefore the wavelength converter can have more flexibility when utilized.