Simulation of wavelength conversion based on integrated saturable absorber

The performance of wavelength conversion relying on a mixed dye saturable absorber inside a suited laser cavity is analyzed. An improved theoretical model that considers the absorption coefficient beta(sr) of the saturable absorber is developed. The output extinction ratio, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and bit-error-rate (BER) dependence of the converted signal light on the input pump power, probe power, and absorption coefficient beta(sr) are investigated on the basis of the improved rate equations. The simulation results show that the extinction ratio and SNR become larger when the input pump power increases, and probe power and absorption coefficient beta(sr) decrease. The BER is proved to be about 10(-12) when the pump signal power is larger than -7 dBm, and the probe power and the absorption coefficient are less than -4 dBm and 0.5, respectively.