Enhanced 10 Gb/s operations of directly modulated reflective semiconductor optical amplifiers without electronic...

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Optical Communications
• Photonics

Background:

• Bandwidth-limited reflective semiconductor optical amplifiers (RSOAs) are crucial for high-speed optical networks.
• Existing systems often require complex wavelength control and equalization to manage seeding wavelength drifts.
• Direct modulation of RSOAs presents challenges in achieving high-speed, stable operation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the operational performance of directly modulated RSOAs at 10 Gb/s.
• To develop a system that integrates WDM demultiplexing and optical equalization.
• To improve tolerance to seeding wavelength drifts, reducing the need for ancillary components.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a single arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) for simultaneous WDM demultiplexing and optical equalization.
• Implemented direct modulation of bandwidth-limited RSOAs.
• Experimentally validated performance across the C-band spectrum.

Main Results:

• Achieved enhanced 10 Gb/s operation of RSOAs.
• Demonstrated simultaneous WDM demultiplexing and optical equalization with a single AWG.
• Showcased significantly improved tolerance to seeding wavelength drifts (10 GHz), doubling standard recommendations.
• Obtained uniform C-band operation with a power penalty < 2 dB.

Conclusions:

• The proposed system offers a simplified and more robust solution for high-speed optical communication.
• Eliminates the need for wavelength lockers, electronic equalization, and complex digital signal processing.
• Enables reliable C-band operation with enhanced tolerance to wavelength variations.