Pseudo random word generation using regular and quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

Pseudo random bit sequence (PRBS) generation is important for a wide range of applications including communication systems, pattern generation and encryption. All optical pseudo random bit sequence (PRBS) generation using both regular and quantum dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) based Mach-Zehnder interferometer have been studied. The speed of operation is limited by the gain and phase recovery times in the SOA. A key element in the fabrication of a PRBS generator is an all optical XOR. All optical XOR functionality has been demonstrated experimentally using regular semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) based Mach-Zehnder interferometer at 80 Gb/s. The performance of the XOR operation has been analyzed by solving the rate equation of the SOA for SOAs with both regular and QD active region. QD-SOAs should result in significantly higher speed operation. The paper shows that QD-SOA based devices can be used to produce PRBS generators that operate near 250 Gb/s.