10 Gbit/s All-Optical Wavelength Conversion by using Double Stage Cross-Gain-Modulation in SOAs

We present a novel wavelength conversion scheme that exploits Cross Gain Modulation (XGM) in Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOAs) without overall pattern effects. This technique uses two signals with reversed intensity modulation and different wavelength to exploit propagation and gain compression dynamics in gain- saturated SOAs at almost constant overall input power. The resulting Cross Gain Compression (XGC) mechanism between co-propagating waves can lead to all-optical waveform reshaping. By using this technique we experimentally demonstrate enhanced wavelength conversion by XGM at 10 Gb/s.