Investigation of SOA-assisted Sagnac recirculating shift register switching characteristics

The switching characteristics of a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA)-assisted Sagnac recirculating shift register with an inverter are investigated by undertaking a numerical analysis that describes the dynamic gain response of the SOA to high speed and strong feedback optical pulses. The key performance parameters are identified and their role in the formation of the switching window is analyzed. The optimum values of these parameters are not unique and must be adapted to the specific all-optical shift register network application. For this reason, they must be properly selected and combined so as to ensure the satisfaction of the desired operating conditions. The technical restrictions that the derived values may impose on the state-of-the-art photonics technology are also discussed and efficient ways of overcoming them are proposed.     

Q-factor assessment of SOA-based ultrafast nonlinear interferometer

The performance of the semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based ultrafast nonlinear interferometer (UNI) gated by an ultra high speed pseudorandom binary sequence is theoretically analyzed. For this purpose, a comprehensive model formed by a set of equations that describe the gain and phase evolution inside a SOA deployed as the nonlinear element in an interferometric switch is appropriately applied to this particular configuration. By undertaking a detailed numerical simulation, the impact of the SOA and input data key parameters on the Q-factor is thoroughly investigated and assessed enabling to extract useful design rules for their proper selection so as to optimize this metric. The calculations confirm the experimental evidence that the main technical limitation is imposed by the SOA carrier lifetime, which must be reduced below the bit period in order to avoid the deleterious consequences of the pattern effect on the switched-out pulses. Provided that this condition is satisfied and the rest of the parameters fulfill their specified requirements, the output amplitude fluctuations can be effectively eliminated resulting in a high quality eye diagram and error-free operation. The adopted model can be exploited for studying more sophisticated all-optical circuits and subsystems of enhanced functionality that rely critically on the SOA-based UNI as switching module.     

Theoretical analysis and performance investigation of ultrafast all-optical Boolean XOR gate with semiconductor optical amplifier-assisted Sagnac interferometer

A comprehensive theoretical model of an ultrafast all-optical Boolean XOR gate implemented with a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-assisted Sagnac interferometer is presented. The model accounts for the SOA small signal gain, linewidth enhancement factor and carrier lifetime, the switching pulses energy and width and the Sagnac loop asymmetry. By undertaking a detailed numerical simulation, the influence of these key parameters on the metrics that determine the quality of switching is thoroughly investigated and simple design rules are extracted for their proper selection so as to ensure optimum operation. The obtained results are in good agreement with the published experimental measurements and confirm the feasibility of realizing the gate at 10 Gb/s with fairly high performance. The model can be extended for studying more complex all-optical circuits of enhanced functionality in which the XOR gate is the basic building block.     

40-Gbit/s all-optical circulating shift register with an inverter

We report what is believed to be the first demonstration of an all-optical circulating shift register using an ultrafast nonlinear interferometer with a polarization-insensitive semiconductor optical amplifier as the nonlinear switching element. The device operates at 40 Gbits/s, to our knowledge the highest speed demonstrated to date. Also, the demonstration proves the cascadability of the ultrafast nonlinear interferometric switch.     

On the feasibility of full pattern-operated all-optical XOR gate with single semiconductor optical amplifier-based ultrafast nonlinear interferometer

The possibility of implementing an ultrafast all-optical XOR gate using a single semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based ultrafast nonlinear interferometer (UNI) is theoretically investigated and demonstrated. For this purpose a comprehensive model that characterizes the performance of a SOA when it is successively driven by two strong pseudorandom binary sequences is applied to simulate the specific module under dual rail switching mode of operation. In this manner an extensive set of curves is obtained allowing to analyze and evaluate the impact of the input data, SOA and interferometer critical parameters on the fully loaded Q-factor. Their thorough study and interpretation reveals that the satisfaction of their requirements in order to render acceptable this metric is feasible from a technological perspective and thus if their selection is made according to the extracted guidelines then pattern-free and error-free modulo-2 arithmetic can be straightforwardly realized at 20 Gb/s. This prediction can be of practical interest in simplifying and assisting the design of more sophisticated interconnections of enhanced combinatorial and sequential functionality in which the XOR gate is the core logical unit.     

All-optical circular shift register based on semiconductor optical amplifiers

We present a new and potentially integrable scheme to realize an all-optical circulating shift register consisting of a fiber-loop based optical buffer (OB) and an optical AND gate. The OB is implemented using semiconductor optical amplifier as a nonlinear element and the AND gate is realized by means of four wave mixing effect in a semiconductor optical amplifier. The operation of the shift register has been verified for a 10-bit input sequence at a sequence bit rate of 2.5 GHz and 10 GHz respectively. The simulation results show that \(\hbox {BER}=10^{-9}\) is achieved at optical signal-to-noise (OSNR) ratio of 16dB at the shift register output. The dependence of the output quality factor ( \(Q\) -factor) on SOA parameters is also investigated and discussed.     

基于半导体光放大器的非归零信号时钟恢复

提出了一种基于半导体光放大器加窄带光纤光栅滤波器,将非归零信号转换为伪归零信号,再把伪归零信号注入到主动锁模环行腔激光器进行时钟提取的非归零信号时钟恢复方案.利用该方案实现了10 Gb/s伪随机非归零信号的全光时钟恢复,对工作原理和结果进行了分析和讨论.实验证明该方案具有结构简单,调整容易,输出波形好的特点.     

Ultra-high speed all-optical shift registers and their applications in OTDM networks

All-optical shift registers are basic building modules for the development of ultra-high speed optical time division multiplexing networks. In this paper, we review the progress that has been made in this cutting-edge technology, focusing on implementations that exploit the attractive features of semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based interferometric configurations. We present regenerative storage performed with an all-optical recirculating shift register with an inverter at 10 Gb/s using a SOA-assisted Sagnac switch and a second SOA to provide feedback. We demonstrate also an all-optical memory based on the SOA-assisted Ultrafast Nonlinear Interferometer capable of reading/writing 20 Gb/s packets of variable length without data inversion. These registers can find application in the development of two nontrivial complex all-optical circuits of enhanced functionality. The first is an all-optical pseudorandom binary sequence generator for which we describe an efficient design algorithm and propose ways for monitoring and verification. The second is an all-optical error counter for which we address the error detection and evaluation issues using a novel sampling technique. These circuits are key elements for the implementation of a high-speed, all-optical bit error rate tester (BERT), which has the potential to outperform its electronic equivalent and constitute a possible new product for the telecommunications industry.     

研制超宽带全光取样示波器设备

全光取样示波器是研究与开发超高速光通信系统和光子交换网络的关键性测试仪器设备. 本文简介了我们自行设计和研制出的超宽带全光取样示波器设备的实验样机系统, 并报道了我们已取得的初步实验结果. 采用自主研发的高稳定性被动锁模飞秒光纤激光器作为该光学示波器的光脉冲取样源, 我们通过利用高度非线性光纤中的四波混频效应, 成功地实现了对脉宽为1.8ps、重复频率分别为10GHz和40GHz的光脉冲信号的全光取样. 然后通过数字信号处理和计算机图形处理, 得到了再现后的超短光脉冲信号波形, 并测出了其脉冲宽度值为2.3ps. 借助于该光学取样示波器实验样机, 我们还成功地完成了对脉宽为1.8ps、经过伪随机数据序列调制后的10Gbit/s和40Gbit/s光数据信号眼图的精确测量. 这是我国首次报道有关超宽带全光取样示波器设备的实际研制工作及其相应的实验测试结果. 所得到的有关超短光脉冲信号波形的测试结果也与用70GHz宽带电子示波器和超快光电探测器组成的常规光电测量系统所获得的结果进行了比较, 清楚地表明了我们研制出的全光取样示波器实验样机比后者具有更高的时间分辨率和更大的测量带宽.     

Single SOA based all-optical adder assisted by optical bandpass filter: Theoretical analysis and performance optimization

A simple and compact configuration of all-optical adders implemented with a single semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and optical bandpass filter (OBF) is presented in this paper. A comprehensive SOA model is put forward to investigate the output characteristics of the all-optical adders. The numerical simulation results demonstrate the influence of these key parameters, including input pulse peak power, pulsewidth, repetition rate, and OBF characteristics. Moreover some design rules are extracted for the proper selection of these parameters so as to ensure optimum performance. The obtained results confirm the feasibility of our configuration.     

Design of an ultrafast all-optical NOR logic gate based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer using quantum-dot SOA

This paper proposes a design for all-optical NOR logic gate, based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) using quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifier (QD-SOA). In this regard, a theoretical model for an ultrafast all-optical signal processor is developed using QD-SOA to achieve high bit rate operation. We have demonstrated the NOR gate operation in two cases of with and without an optical control pulse. Simulations have been carried out at data bit rates 160 Gb/s, 200 Gb/s, and 250 Gb/s for the case that control pulse is not applied, and also at data bit rates 1 Tb/s and 2 Tb/s in presence of control pulse which leads to improvement of gain recovery time and ultrafast NOR logic operation. In addition, quality factors of the output signals in presence and without the control pulse at different bit rates with different bias currents have been investigated for pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) of word length 2⁸–1.     

Improved all-optical modified signed-digit adders using semiconductor optical amplifier and Mach-Zehnder interferometer

In this paper, we present improved all-optical circuits that implement ultra-fast adders based on the carry-free property of the modified signed-digit (MSD) number representation. The all-optical realizations are based on semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) switches, which represent one of the most promising solutions due to their compact size, thermal stability and low power operation. Several all-optical circuit designs are proposed with the objective to minimize the number of the SOA-MZI switches, the time delay in the adders and some other optical elements. The proposed circuits are more efficient comparing to previously published ones in terms of the number of optical components (less by 50%) as well as the operational speed (faster by 50%).     

Effect of amplified spontaneous emission on semiconductor optical amplifier based all-optical logic

The performances of all-optical logic gates XOR, AND, OR, NOR and NAND based on semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) have been simulated including the effects of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). For the parameters used, all-optical logic gates using SOA are capable of operating at speed of 80 Gb/s.     

基于半导体光放大器中非线性偏振旋转效应单一光缓存环全光时隙交换处理能力研究

对基于半导体光放大器(SOA)中非线性偏振旋转效应(NPR)效应的单一光缓存环多数据包的全光时隙交换(TSI)处理能力进行了理论和实验研究,在使用归纳法导出单一缓存环实现多数据包全光时隙(TSI)必要条件的基础上,针对各种全光TSI操作要求得出了相应光数据包的调度方案,在实验上,以基于SOA中NPR效应的单一光缓存环实验系统,开展了多数据包全光TSI操作的实验研究,根据上述光数据包理论调度方案进行相应系统参数设定,进行了速率为10 Gb/s的3个和4个数据包的全光TSI实验,实验结果与理论预期相符合,研究成果为减少昂贵SOA元件的用量、简化基于光缓存环全光TSI系统的结构提供了可靠依据,对推进全光TSI技术的发展具有重要意义。     

半导体光放大器的稳态增益饱和特性

高速全光逻辑门是实现光分组交换、光计算和未来高速大容量光传输的关键器件,近年来受到广泛的关注。半导体光放大器（SOA）因为具备体积小、工作波长范围宽、响应时间短及良好的非线性特性等优点,成为研制高速全光逻辑器件的首选。采用分段模型分析了SOA的稳态增益饱和特性,通过数值求解载流子速率方程和光传输方程对其特性进行了仿真实现。结果表明,SOA在入射光功率不同时会表现出明显的非线性;在一定范围内增加光功率,SOA增益持续增加,继续增加入射光功率,SOA逐渐进入饱和吸收状态,增益反而降低。     

Ultrafast all-optical signal processing with Symmetric Mach–Zehnder type all-optical switches

We present Symmetric Mach–Zehnder (SMZ) type all-optical switches: an SMZ all-optical switch, a polarization-discriminating SMZ (PD-SMZ) all-optical switch, and a delayed interference signal wavelength converter (DISC). These switches are capable of ultrafast, low control power, and low chirp switching, which is not restricted by slow relaxation of highly efficient nonlinearities. High repetition operation unrestricted by slow relaxation is also possible for these switches. This is because of a push–pull modulation scheme or sometimes called a differential phase modulation scheme. These three devices are similar, but different in some important aspects, thus a comparison is made among the three. Then semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are discussed as a nonlinear phase shifter for these devices. Then, ultrafast all-optical signal processing using SOA based SMZs is demonstrated. Error-free demultiplexing from 168 to 10.5 Gbit/s is presented, in which a hybrid-integrated SMZ (HI-SMZ) is used as a demultiplexer. In pulse regeneration experiment, the signal pulses at 84 Gbit/s are regenerated by the PD-SMZ and the regenerated pulses are demultiplexed to 10.5 Gbit/s by the HI-SMZ to verify error-free operation. The retiming capability of this scheme is quantitatively demonstrated. Also presented is error-free all-optical wavelength conversion at 168 Gbit/s using the DISC. These results represent the fastest error-free operations reported to date in each category.     

High-speed optical signal processing using semiconductor optical amplifiers

The authors report on all-optical switching devices based on semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) in applications for optical time division multiplexing (OTDM) transmission technology. The report includes a discussion on the basic properties of an SOA, on the nonlinear processes of cross-phase modulation and four-wave mixing in the SOA used for all-optical switching, and on the application of the SOA as demultiplexer, add-drop multiplexer, clock recovery and wavelength converter. The devices considered here operate at data rates in excess of \Gb80, where electrical signal processing is not available today.     

On the data rate extension of semiconductor optical amplifier-based ultrafast nonlinear interferometer in dual rail switching mode using a cascaded optical delay interferometer

The feasibility of increasing by a factor of two the data speed of the semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based ultrafast nonlinear interferometer in dual rail switching mode by means of a cascaded optical delay interferometer (ODI) is explored and shown through numerical simulation. From the theoretical analysis it has been found that such extension cannot be done without employing this passive element for any selection of the critical parameters but the SOA carrier lifetime, for which the requirements are yet very demanding. If, however, the time delay introduced by the ODI is adjusted to almost 1/3rd of the bit period, then the result of Boolean XOR operation can be improved for a specified range of parameter values, which can be further selected to be more relaxed than is possible when the ODI is not being used. The use of the ODI allows both error-free and pattern-free performance at the output of the interferometric structure configured as ultrafast XOR gate. In this manner the scheme can offer a practical alternative solution for extending the operating rate of this logical module and enabling its exploitation as a basic building unit in more sophisticated all-optical circuits and subsystems.     

一种全光归零码到非归零码变换的新技术方案

报道了一种利用单只半导体光放大器和光滤波器实现全光归零码到非归零码变换的新技术方案.当探测（Probe）光和数据信号光同时输入到SOA时,基于SOA中的交叉增益调制和交叉相位调制现象,探测光光谱的后沿和前沿将分别产生红移和蓝移.通过调节光滤波器和探测光的中心波长之间的失调量,滤出光谱的特定部分,可以得到转换后的NRZ码光信号.这种新型的全光码型变换器具有结构简单、偏振不敏感、控制参量少和稳定性高的特点.分别采用仿真和实验的方式实现了20 Gbit/s光数据信号从RZ码到NRZ码的全光码型变换,并且仿真结果和实验结果相吻合.     

On the output characteristics of a semiconductor optical amplifier driven by an ultrafast optical time division multiplexing pulse train

A comprehensive theoretical analysis of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) that is subject to an ultrafast optical time division multiplexing pulse stream is presented with the help of a simple but efficient model developed for this purpose. The model combines the necessary set of mathematical equations with the appropriate simplifying assumptions to describe in the time domain gain saturation and recovery for the case of multiple incoming pulses. In this manner, analytical expressions can be obtained for the power and chirp profile of the amplified pulses, essentially extending the work that has been performed for a single pulse only. This allows to identify the critical operational parameters and to investigate and evaluate their effect on these two output characteristics. The derived simulation curves are thoroughly studied to specify the limitations imposed on the SOA small signal gain and carrier lifetime as well as on the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) and energy of the input pulses and, based on a series of logical arguments, to extract useful rules concerning their selection so as to achieve improved performance with respect to the practical applications of all-optical switching and pulse compression. The obtained results indicate that due to the continuous insertion of pulses, the requirements for the SOA small signal gain and the input pulse energy are stringent than those for the case of isolated pulse amplification. The combination of these two parameters determines also the regime in which the amplifier must be biased to operate in order to ensure distortionless pulse amplification and enhanced chirp for efficient pulse compression and it has been found that low saturation is necessary for the former case whilst heavy saturation for the latter. The scopes of the corresponding requirements for the carrier lifetime and the FWHM are also tight but to a less extent and can be simply satisfied with the available photonics technology. These results are in good agreement with the available experimental data essentially proving the validity and robustness of the model. The model can be thus applied to predict the behavior of more complex all-optical circuits of enhanced functionality in which the SOA is the basic functional device.