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Generation of 21.3 Gbaud 8PSK signal using an SOA-based all-optical phase modulator
J M Dailey1, R P Webb, R J Manning
1Tyndall National Institute & Department of Physics, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Cork, Ireland. james.dailey@tyndall.ie
Optics Express
|January 26, 2012
Summary
We developed a novel all-optical phase modulator using semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs). This device suppresses unwanted gain modulation, enabling efficient high-baudrate optical signal modulation for advanced communication systems.
Area of Science:
- Optical Communications
- Semiconductor Devices
- Photonics
Background:
- Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are crucial components in optical communication systems.
- Cross-gain modulation (XGM) in SOAs can degrade signal quality, limiting modulator performance.
- Efficient all-optical modulation is essential for high-speed data transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel SOA-based all-optical pure-phase modulator.
- To demonstrate suppression of deleterious cross-gain modulation in SOAs.
- To experimentally validate the modulator's performance for high-baudrate modulation formats.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an integrated interferometer structure to mitigate cross-gain modulation.
- Employed semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) as the active modulation elements.
- Experimentally tested the modulator with 21.3 Gbit/s On-Off Keying (OOK) and Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) inputs.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated a π/4 phase modulator.
- Achieved modulation of 21.3 Gbaud 8-Phase Shift Keying (8PSK) signals.
- Observed 3 dB of optical gain and a 2.4 dB excess penalty via bit error rate measurements.
Conclusions:
- The novel SOA-based all-optical pure-phase modulator effectively suppresses XGM.
- The integrated interferometer design enables high-baudrate modulation with acceptable penalties.
- This technology offers a promising solution for advanced optical communication systems.
