Carrier-density modulation effects in a traveling-wave semiconductor optical amplifier: communications theory analysis and experiment

Author

Hodgkinson, Terence G. ; Webb, Roderick P.

Author_Institution

British Telecom Res. Lab., Ipswich, UK

Volume

9

Issue

5

fYear

1991

fDate

5/1/1991 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

605

Lastpage

622

Abstract

A communications theory equivalent model suitable for analyzing carrier-density modulation effects within a traveling-wave semiconductor optical amplifier is derived by linearizing the amplifier rate equation. This model is used to analyze dual-channel amplification, and it is shown to give results which are in good agreement with those given by nonlinear polarization theory and experimental measurements. The effect of four-wave mixing on the amplification of many optical channels for worst-case operating conditions is studied, and it is shown that the individual channels experience different gains. It is also shown that if the individual channel gains are to be confined to lie within a ±1-dB band when operating the amplifier at high values of unsaturated power gain

Keywords

multiwave mixing; optical communication equipment; optical modulation; semiconductor junction lasers; amplifier rate equation; carrier-density modulation effects; communications theory equivalent model; dual-channel amplification; four-wave mixing; individual channel gains; nonlinear polarization theory; optical channels; traveling-wave semiconductor optical amplifier; worst-case operating conditions; Four-wave mixing; Nonlinear equations; Nonlinear optics; Optical amplifiers; Optical mixing; Optical polarization; Optical refraction; Power amplifiers; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Stimulated emission;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.79537

Filename

79537