Wavelength measurement and tracking using semiconductor laser amplifiers for applications in photonic networks

Novel approaches for wavelength measurement and tracking using semiconductor laser amplifiers (SLA´s) are proposed. The variation of the transparent current of a SLA with the wavelength of an incident light is utilized for wavelength discrimination. The principles, response speed, and resolution of these approaches are addressed. Experimental data show that optical frequencies that are 2.15 GHz apart can be resolved.