Dynamics of optical pulse amplification and saturation in multiple state quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

We have developed a novel analytical model, which describes the dynamic characteristics of optical pulse amplification and saturation in three state quantum dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs). The model takes into account the effect of the ground state, the excited state and the 2-dimensional wetting layer. The model is simple, accurate and fast, which makes it suitable for device design and characterization. The derived model has been utilized to study large-signal cross-gain modulation and crosstalk in multi-channel QD-SOA. Analytical expressions for large signal cross-gain modulation and crosstalk in multichannel SOA are derived. The effect of the dot relaxation/escape lifetimes and energy separation between QD states on cross-gain modulation and crosstalk are also studied. Our calculations show that by reducing QD energy state separation, via engineering the dot size and composition, one can reduce the cross-gain modulation efficiency and reduce crosstalk in multi-channel QD-SOAs.