NRZ/RZ 40 Gbit/s optical regenerator based on a photonic two-level nonlinear device

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Nonlinear Optics
• Optical Communications

Background:

• All-optical signal regeneration is crucial for overcoming signal degradation in high-speed fiber optic networks.
• Existing regeneration techniques often require optoelectronic conversions, limiting speed and increasing complexity.
• Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) offer a promising platform for compact and efficient all-optical signal processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and characterize a compact device for all-optical signal regeneration.
• To implement a two-level transfer function (TF) using SOA-based stages.
• To evaluate the device's performance in reshaping nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) and return-to-zero (RZ) data signals.

Main Methods:

• A compact device incorporating two semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based stages was designed and fabricated.
• Each SOA stage utilized nonlinear polarization rotation and self-phase modulation phenomena.
• The device's transfer function (TF) was characterized, focusing on flatness of levels.
• Performance was tested by regenerating NRZ and RZ data signals at speeds up to 40 Gb/s.
• Bit error rate (BER) measurements were conducted to assess signal quality improvements.

Main Results:

• The proposed device achieved a two-level transfer function with significantly improved flat top and bottom levels.
• The device effectively reshaped both NRZ and RZ data signals at data rates up to 40 Gb/s.
• Bit error rate measurements confirmed enhanced threshold margin and improved extinction ratio.
• The compact design demonstrates suitability for all-optical regeneration applications.

Conclusions:

• The developed SOA-based device offers a compact and effective solution for all-optical signal regeneration.
• The improved transfer function and demonstrated performance make it a viable component for future high-speed optical networks.
• This work contributes to advancing all-optical signal processing technologies.