Optimization of 100 Gbit/s correlation in a segmented semiconductor optical amplifier for all-optical pattern recognition

Summary form only given. Segmented semiconductor optical amplifiers (SSOA) have been shown to be a promising candidate for header generation and recognition. Unfortunately, the low modulation depths in these experiments required signal averaging to reduce the noise floor below the output signal. In this presentation a SSOA with asymmetric segment lengths is used in conjunction with a pattern repetition rate of 500 MHz to increase the modulation depth beyond previous work. Pump-probe experiments conducted without signal averaging demonstrate an adequate signal-to-noise ratio that makes possible single shot optical correlation at 100 Gbit/s. Since gain and loss operate together to give the SSOA functionality it important to understand the gain and loss dynamics to achieve optimum performance such as maximizing the modulation depth of positive and negative bits and balancing the recovery time of the saturated gain and the saturated loss. The presentation addresses these issues in addition to the effects of wavelength on the picosecond time-scale operation of the device.