Photonics applications in switching: An ATM optical node

Abstract

An ATM optical node architecture that carries out cell routing and buffering by photonic means, controlled by electronic circuits, is presented. An evolutionary approach, where cell aggregation and compression are introduced to achieve a large throughput, with a high performance, is also described. And we report experimental results that demonstrate the feasibility of all the relevant photonic functions, based on advanced optoelectronic devices, namely: fast wavelength reassignment, suitable for multigigabit operation, based on fast tunable lasers and semiconductor optical amplifiers; high bit rate packet storage in a multiwavelength fiber loop memory including fast optical gates; dynamic wavelength selection, based on distributed feedback (DFB) filters with nanosecond tuning response; and all optical demultiplexing of multigigabit/s time division multiplexing (TDM) signals by means of saturated semiconductor optical amplifiers.     

Wavelength conversion in optical transport networks

The introduction of optical technology in the path layer of a transport network is analyzed; in particular, the impact of all-optical wavelength conversion is examined. Two basic optical cross-connect schemes based on space switching and on wave-length switching, respectively, and two types of wavelength converters are considered. The wavelength converters are, respectively, based on four-wave miring (FWM) in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) and on cross-phase modulation (XPM) obtained by two SOAs put in an interferometric configuration. An analysis of transmission performances of optical transport networks employing both types of wavelength conversion and both the node architectures is reported. The performances are evaluated by means of a system modeling that facilitates considering physical phenomena occurring during transmission and all the important transmission impairments. The analysis reveals that both the types of converters can be employed with different features and limitations, according to the considered network and switching architecture.     

Analytical approach of developing wavelength encoded AND, NAND and X-OR logic operations and implementation of the theory using semiconductor optical amplifiers

Frequency encoding technique is a very promising and faithful technology for very fast long-haul optical communication and super fast computation. Implementation of different logic gates based on the principle of frequency conversion is the key mechanism of frequency encoded data processing and networking. It is established that semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) have been used successfully for the purpose of frequency conversion. One of the important techniques of frequency conversion is the conjugate beam generation by four wave mixing (FWM) in SOA and ultimately conversion of it into desired frequency by means of reflecting semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA). However the efficiency of conjugate beam generation is restricted by polarization dependent gain saturation of SOA. This dependency can be successfully removed using polarization diversity scheme. Another technique of the frequency conversion is based on nonlinear rotation of the state of polarization of the linearly polarized probe beam. An important advantage of using polarization rotation in SOA is that a small change in rotation of the state of polarization will lead to a large difference in output power. Here in our present communication we propose a method of developing wavelength encoded AND, NAND and X-OR logic operations exploiting the above mentioned functions of SOA. For this purpose we have developed an analytical treatment based on which above mentioned three logic gates are conducted. The satisfactory simulation result proves also the validity of the developed theory.     

Analytic approach to the small-signal frequency response of saturated semiconductor optical amplifiers using multisection model

An analytic solution derived by multisection model to the small-signal frequency response (SSFR) of wavelength conversion based on cross-gain modulation (XGM) in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) is presented. The result contains details that can affect the characteristics of SSFR significantly more than previous ones.     

Four-wave mixing in semiconductor laser amplifiers: Applications for optical communication systems

Four-wave mixing in semiconductor laser amplifiers enables various applications in photonic switching including wavelength conversion, space and time switching, optical phase conjugation, and demultiplexing. Switching times faster than 1 ps are possible.     

Slow and fast light in quantum dot based semiconductor optical amplifiers

Recent progress in the field of quantum dot/dash based semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) for slow and fast light is discussed. Room temperature fast light has been obtained in InAs/InP QDash based SOAs by means of coherent population oscillation and four wave mixing (FWM) effects. Typical optical delays amount to 55 ps at 2 GHz. Growth optimization of the QDashes allowed us to achieve high modal gain, leading to very similar performances, e.g. gain and FWM efficiency, to those of a bulk SOA. A novel approach based on linear spectrograms is also introduced to measure the phase shift induced by wave mixing in an SOA.     

分布反馈激光器中剩余法布里-珀罗腔模对非简并四波混频特性的影响

基于四波混频(FWM)的全光波长转换技术是未来多波长通信系统的核心技术之一。除半导体光放大器(SOA)外,半导体激光器也是进行波长变换的器件。实验研究了小频率失谐到大频率失谐下分布反馈(DFB)激光器中剩余法布里珀罗腔模对非简并四波混频(NDFWM)的影响,并对其四波混频转换效率进行了分析。结果表明:当探测光波长与法布里珀罗腔的某一谐振波长一致时,分布反馈激光器中的四波混频转换效率将得到显著的增强;当频率失谐为太赫兹时,仍可得到较高的四波混频转换效率。     

Slow and fast light in quantum-well and quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiersInvited Paper

Slow and fast light in quantum-well (QW) and quantum-dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) using nonlinear quantum optical effects are presented. We demonstrate electrical and optical controls of fast light using the coherent population oscillation (CPO) and four wave mixing (FWM) in the gain regime of QW SOAs. We then consider the dependence on the wavelength and modal gain of the pump in QW SOAs. To enhance the tunable photonic delay of a single QW SOA, we explore a serial cascade of multiple amplifiers. A model for the number of QW SOAs in series with variable optical attenuation is developed and matched to the experimental data. We demonstrate the scaling law and the bandwidth control by using the serial cascade of multiple QW SOAs. Experimentally, we achieve a phase change of 160° and a scaling factor of four at 1 GHz using the cascade of four QW SOAs. Finally, we investigate CPO and FWM slow and fast light of QD SOAs. The experiment shows that the bandwidth of the time delay as a function of the modulation frequency changes in the absorption and gain regimes due to the carrier-lifetime variation. The tunable phase shift in QD SOA is compared between the ground- and first excited-state transitions with different modal gains.     

A novel all optical method of implementing an n-bit wavelength encoded complete digital data comparator using nonlinear semiconductor optical amplifiers

Data comparator is the integral part of arithmetic and logical unit of any electronic or optical data processor. Due to some inherent limitations of electronics it cannot be possible to obtain a super fast operation (over terahertz limit) from electronic comparators. Again wavelength encoding technique has been established as an excellent one over other existing optical data encoding techniques. Semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) technologies have shown their strong potentiality of realizing many all-optical systems. In this communication the authors have proposed a new scheme of developing all-optical wavelength encoded n bit binary comparator exploiting the four-wave mixing, wavelength filtering, wavelength conversion and nonlinear polarization rotation capabilities property of nonlinear semiconductor optical amplifiers. The scheme can be used for comparing signed and unsigned optical binary data of any bit wide numbers as well. The comparator is especially suitable for use as a building block in a larger optical circuit, such as in an all optical telecommunications switch.     

Wavelength Converter Using Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Based on XPM at 40 Gb/s for Future Transport Networks

Abstract

We have simulated, for the first time, wavelength converter for future broadcast networks at 40 Gb/s using low-cost semiconductor optical amplifiers. The performance analysis is carried out for an all-optical frequency converter based on cross-phase modulation in two semiconductor optical amplifiers arranged in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer configuration to evaluate the efficiency of conversion. The results, evaluated analytically for input, return to zero signal at a bit rate of 40 Gb/s show that conversion is possible over a wavelength separation of 1 nm between the pump and the input wavelength. Increasing the driving current can decrease the cross-phase modulation effect. The cross gain modulation scheme shows extinction ratio degradation for conversion to longer wavelengths.     

Beyond 90-km Reach of a 16 × 2.5 Gb/s C/L-band Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing Metropolitan Network Based on Self-Seeded Reflective Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

Abstract

This article reports the operation of a cost-effective, colorless, dense wavelength-division multiplexing metropolitan network based on self-seeded reflective semiconductor optical amplifiers. All reflective semiconductor optical amplifiers used in the experiments are packaged in commercial small form-factor pluggable modules. The proposal architecture is simple and symmetric thanks to utilization of two cyclic array waveguide gratings. Downstream link functions in the C-band wavelength range and the upstream link functions in the L-band wavelength range. By using erbium-doped fiber amplifiers to extend the reach, an error-free transmission over 90 km for 16 channels at 2.5 Gb/s was experimentally demonstrated for both directions, and an optical budget over 35 dB was obtained.     

Optical Nonlinearity in a Novel Optical Signal Regeneration System Based on Cross-Gain Modulation Using Cascaded Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

We propose a novel optical signal regeneration system based on wavelength converters by use of cross gain modulationin cascaded semiconductor optical amplifiers. The nonlinearity in optical input/output characteristics and eye opening using NRZ signal were archived.     

New approach of semiconductor laser related technologies for ultrafast photonics

Ultrashort laser pulses offer new jump in information and communication technology. Especially semiconductor laser based ultrafast photonic devices and systems are promising. We review our new approaches for femtosecond pulse generation, and thin film technology for broad band semiconductor optical amplifiers.     

Frequency encoded optical four-bit adder/subtractor with control input using semiconductor optical amplifiers

Optical adder/subtractor for two four-bit frequency encoded binary numbers are proposed and designed based on four wave mixing, add drop multiplexing and frequency conversion in semiconductor optical amplifier. The input bits and the control input are intensity-modulated signal of two specific frequencies suitable for optical communication in the C band of wavelength. The device can distinguish negative and positive results and controlled operation are most promising in this proposal. The use of semiconductor optical amplifiers along with frequency encoding makes the system very fast and useful for future optical communication and computation systems.     

Method of developing an all optical wavelength encoded single bit comparator exploiting four wave mixing and wavelength filtering character of nonlinear semiconductor optical amplifiers

Data Comparator is the integral part of arithmetic and logical unit of any electronic or optical data processor. Due to some inherent limitations of electronics it is not possible to obtain super fast data processing (over Terahertz limit) from electronic comparator. Again frequency encoding technique has been established as an excellent one over the other optical data encoding techniques. Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) technologies have shown its potentiality of realising many all-optical systems. In this communication the authors have proposed a new all-optical wavelength encoded single bit binary comparator exploiting the four wave mixing and wavelength filtering property of nonlinear semiconductor optical amplifier.     

All optical SR and D flip-flop employing XGM effect in semiconductor optical amplifiers

This paper presents a simple and novel scheme for all-optical SR and D flip-flop employing cross gain modulation (XGM) effect in two wideband semiconductor optical amplifiers. The proposed flip-flop has a fast response, with less than 20 ps transition times for both rising and falling edges. The FF speed-limit is mainly determined by the SOA recovery time and the intra-FF coupling length. The simulation results exhibit a contrast ratio of 13 dB between two states with an AM of less than 2.5 dB.The distinctive simplicity of the flip-flop implies reduced footprint and low power consumption which makes it ideal for photonic integration.     

All-optical tunable delay line based on wavelength conversion in semiconductor optical amplifiers and dispersion in dispersion-compensating fiber

We demonstrate an all-optical continuously tunable delay line system based on wavelength conversion in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), and group-velocity dispersion (GVD) in a dispersion-compensating fiber (DCF). The system operates, near 1550 nm, with a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) pattern at 10 Gb/s. A maximal optical delay up to 2700 ps is observed. The scheme achieves continuous control of a wide range of optical delays, wide signal bandwidth, nearly no pulse broadening, and very little spectral distortion.     

10 Gb/s Reconfigurable Optical Logic Gate Using a Single Hybrid-Integrated SOA-MZI

Abstract

A novel reconfigurable Boolean device based on a single Mach-Zehnder interferometer with semiconductor optical amplifiers is demonstrated at 10 Gb/s using intensity return-to-zero modulated signals. The experimental results show that the device can be dynamically reconfigured to operate as a logic XOR, AND, OR, and NOT gate using optical switches. By properly adjusting the input powers, an extinction ratio higher than 10 dB may be obtained. The potential of integration of this architecture makes it an interesting approach in photonic computing and optical signal processing.     

Femtosecond hybrid mode-locked semiconductor laser and amplifier dynamics

We describe the generation of femtosecond high power optical pulses using hybrid passive-active mode-locking techniques. Angle stripe geometry GaAs/AlGaAs semiconductor laser amplifiers are employed in an external cavity including prisms and a stagger-tuned quantum-well saturable absorber. An identical amplifier also serves as an optical power amplifier in a stretched pulse amplification and recompression sequence. After amplification and pulse compression this laser system produces 200 fs, 160 W peak power pulses. We discuss and extend our theory, and supporting phenomenological models, of picosecond and subpicosecond optical pulse amplification in semiconductor laser amplifiers which has been successful in calculating measured spectra and time-resolved dynamics in our amplifiers. We have refined the theory to include a phenomenological model of spectral hole-burning for finite intraband thermalization time. Our calculations are consistent with an intra-band time of approximately 60 fs. This theory of large signal subpicosecond pulse amplification will be an essential tool for understanding the mode-locking dynamics of semiconductor lasers and for analysis of high speed multiple wave-length optical signal processing and transmission devices and systems based on semiconductor laser amplifiers.     

Direct Form I Realization of Active Photonic Filters

Abstract

An integrated photonic architecture is introduced and used to realize an optical filter with direct form I realization. The architecture offers gain from semiconductor optical amplifiers, and this gain results in an active optical filter whose filter response depends on the individual gains. The presence of gain provides advantages in filter performance, and tunable and adaptive functionality. The optical filter is modeled as a discrete time system and the z-transform is used in its analysis and design. A low-pass filter design example is presented and the filter coefficients are derived in terms of gains and coupler splitting ratios. The region of stable operations is derived by applying the Schur-Cohn stability test.