Simultaneous clock component extraction and wavelength conversion of NRZ signal Using an SOA loop mirror

Simultaneous all-optical clock component extraction and wavelength conversion of nonreturn-to-zero signal using a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) loop mirror are simulated and experimentally demonstrated. Both simulation and experiment results show that an SOA loop mirror can provide selective inverted wavelength conversion and clock component extraction functionalities at its reflected and transmitted output port, respectively, even without optimizing for each functionality. Extinction ratio degradation of the wavelength-converted signal is analyzed. Better performance and potentially higher speed can be provided than using a single SOA.