High-Speed Wavelength Converter Capable of Converting the Same Wavelength Using a Single SOA in a Counterpropagation Scheme

• Published in: IEEE photonics technology letters Vol. 21; no. 11; pp. 697 - 699
• Main Authors: Yong Liu, Yong Liu, Ligong Chen, Ligong Chen, Shangjian Zhang, Shangjian Zhang, Pinxiang Duan, Pinxiang Duan, Zengshou Peng, Zengshou Peng, Yongzhi Liu, Yongzhi Liu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.06.2009; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: All-optical switch; Conversion; Converters; Converting; Filtering; High speed; High speed optical techniques; Optical filters; Optical interferometry; Optical pumping; Optical saturation; Optical wavelength conversion; Photonics; semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA); Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Stimulated emission; Wavelength conversion; Wavelengths
• ISSN: 1041-1135; 1941-0174
• DOI: 10.1109/LPT.2009.2016577

We present a high-speed optical wavelength converter that is capable of converting the data to the same wavelength using a single semiconductor optical amplifier. Error-free wavelength conversion is demonstrated at a bit-rate of 40 Gb/s. The wavelength converter utilizes a counterpropagation scheme assisted by blue-detuned optical filtering technology. The blue-detuned optical filter shortens the recovery time of the wavelength converter, from initial 100 ps down to less than 6 ps, ensuring 40-Gb/s operation. The counterpropagation scheme shows a slow gain saturation time, which becomes a determinant factor for the operating speed of the proposed system. This wavelength converter is constructed by using commercially available fiber pigtailed components. It has a simple configuration and allows photonic integration.