Multi-Data-Rate System Performance of a 40-GHz All-Optical Clock Recovery Based on a Quantum-Dot Fabry–PÉrot Laser

Bit-error-rate assessment of a multi-rate all-optical clock recovery (OCR) based on a narrow linewidth mode-locked quantum-dot (QD) Fabry-Perot laser is presented in this letter. OCR has been achieved without external feedback. We use a QD Fabry-Perot semiconductor laser designed for 40-GHz clock extraction. We then present OCR performance with 40-, 80-, and 160-Gb/s input data signal and demonstrate that clock recovery has been obtained thanks to subharmonic locking process. Results are presented through penalty measurement using an original characterization based on recovered clock remodulation with electrical data from the transmitter. This technique allows us to evaluate the quality of the recovered clock.