Symmetric operating point for increasing the extinction ratio of semiconductor based optical loop mirrors

Terahertz optical asymmetric demultiplexors (TOADs) use a semiconductor optical amplifier in an interferometer to create an all-optical switch and have potential uses in many optical networking applications. Here we demonstrate and compare experimentally a novel and simple method of dramatically inc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of modern optics Vol. 55; no. 17; pp. 2777 - 2783
Main Authors Johnson, N., Harrison, J.A., Blow, K.J.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 10.10.2008
Taylor & Francis
Subjects
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
optical processing
Optical telecommunications
SOAs
Telecommunications
Telecommunications and information theory
TOADS
wavelength conversion
Semiconductor optical amplifiers
THz range
Optical switch
Optical telecommunication
Mirror
Demultiplexer
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Summary:Terahertz optical asymmetric demultiplexors (TOADs) use a semiconductor optical amplifier in an interferometer to create an all-optical switch and have potential uses in many optical networking applications. Here we demonstrate and compare experimentally a novel and simple method of dramatically increasing the extinction ratio of the device using a symmetrical configuration as compared to a 'traditional' configuration. The new configuration is designed to suppress the occurrence of self-switching in the device thus allowing signal pulses to be used at higher power levels. Using the proposed configuration an increase in extinction ratio of 10 dB has been measured on the transmitted port whilst benefiting from an improved input signal power handling capability.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 23
ISSN:0950-0340
1362-3044
DOI:10.1080/09500340802187357