Title :
Wavelength conversion from 1.3 to 1.55 mu m using split contact optical amplifiers
Author :
Barnsley, P.E. ; Fiddyment, P.J.
Author_Institution :
British Telecom Res. Lab., Ipswich, UK
fDate :
3/1/1991 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Wavelength conversion of data from an optical carrier at a wavelength of 1.31 mu m to an optical carrier within the 1.5- mu m telecommunications window was demonstrated using a split-contact semiconductor nonlinear Fabry-Perot optical amplifier. Conversion was achieved by modulating the amplifier gain seen by a 1.55- mu m continuous-wave signal by saturating an absorber section using a modulated 1.31- mu m signal. Data transfer was possible from 1.31 mu m up to wavelengths between 1.53 and 1.585 mu m for bit-rates of up to 400 Mb/s. The maximum output contrast ratio was 3:1 and the minimum power at 1.31 mu m required for switching was approximately 60 mu W. By optically pumping the amplifier to above the lasing threshold using the 1.31- mu m signal, conversion was obtained to a fixed multiwavelength output with a 10-dB contrast ratio.<>
Keywords :
convertors; optical communication equipment; optical pumping; optical saturable absorption; semiconductor junction lasers; 1.3 to 1.55 micron; 1.53 to 1.585 micron; 400 Mbit/s; 60 muW; CW signal; absorber section saturation; amplifier gain; fixed multiwavelength output; lasing threshold; maximum output contrast ratio; optical carrier; optical modulation; optically pumping; split contact optical amplifiers; split-contact semiconductor nonlinear Fabry-Perot optical amplifier; switching power; telecommunications window; wavelength conversion; Fabry-Perot; Nonlinear optics; Optical amplifiers; Optical modulation; Optical pumping; Optical saturation; Optical wavelength conversion; Power amplifiers; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Stimulated emission;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE