Title :
Coherent optical tapping using semiconductor optical amplifier
Author :
Emura, Katsumi ; Shibutani, Makoto ; Cha, Iljunn ; Kitamura, Mitsuhiro ; Yamazaki, Shuntaro
Author_Institution :
NEC Corp., Kawasaki, Japan
Abstract :
Semiconductor optical amplifiers are attractive not only as optical repeaters but also as functional devices, since carrier density modulation in amplifiers causes a nonlinear phenomenon. Utilizing the effect of the carrier density modulation on the semiconductor optical amplifier junction voltage, a coherent optical tapping is proposed for signal monitoring or control signal extraction. A 155 Mb/s FSK (frequency shift keying) signal tapping was realized with a simple configuration using heterodyne single-filter detection with -24.4 dBm sensitivity. Many applications for this coherent optical tapping are discussed, and basic characteristics for frequency-selective tapping from FDM (frequency division multiplexing) signals and optical amplifier gain control are examined.<>
Keywords :
carrier density; demodulation; frequency shift keying; nonlinear optics; optical modulation; semiconductor junction lasers; 155 Mbit/s; FDM; FSK; amplifier junction voltage; carrier density modulation; coherent optical tapping; control signal extraction; frequency division multiplexing; frequency shift keying; frequency-selective tapping; heterodyne single-filter detection; nonlinear phenomenon; optical amplifier gain control; optical repeaters; semiconductor optical amplifier; signal monitoring; Charge carrier density; Frequency shift keying; Nonlinear optical devices; Nonlinear optics; Optical control; Optical mixing; Optical modulation; Optical sensors; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Stimulated emission;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
