Space division switches based on semiconductor optical amplifiers

Author

Kalman, R.F. ; Kazovsky, L.G. ; Goodman, J.W.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. Eng., Stanford Univ., CA, USA

Volume

4

Issue

9

fYear

1992

Firstpage

1048

Lastpage

1051

Abstract

Multiple space-division switches based on semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) can be cascaded to obtain larger switching fabrics. The authors present a general analysis of optical switching fabrics using SOAs, considering noise and saturation effects associated with amplified spontaneous emission. They find that the SOA saturation output power limits the number of switches which can be cascaded. For example, a saturation output power of 100 mW limits the size of switching fabrics to 100 64*64 switches or 200 8*8 switches if distributed gain matrix-vector multiplier (MVM) switches or Benes switches are employed. The corresponding limit for lumped gain MVM fabrics is 10 64*64 or 100 8*8. The Benes switch may be more suitable for large switch size (N>16) because it requires fewer SOAs.<>

Keywords

integrated optics; optical saturation; optical switches; semiconductor device noise; semiconductor lasers; semiconductor switches; superradiance; 100 mW; 64 by 64 switch; 64*64 switches; 8 by 8 switch; 8*8 switches; Benes switches; amplified spontaneous emission; cascaded switches; distributed gain matrix vector multiplier switch; lumped gain MVM fabrics; multiple space division switches; noise; optical switching fabrics; output power; saturation effects; semiconductor optical amplifiers; Fabrics; Optical noise; Optical saturation; Optical switches; Power generation; Power semiconductor switches; Semiconductor device noise; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Spontaneous emission; Stimulated emission;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/68.157145

Filename

157145