Static and dynamic characteristics of an InAs/InP quantum-dot optical amplifier operating at high temperatures

We report on high quality InAs/InP quantum dot optical amplifiers for the 1550 nm wavelength range operating over a wide temperature range of 25 to 100 °C. A temperature dependent shift of the peak gain wavelength at a rate of 0.78 nm/K is observed. Consequently, two possible modes of operation are performed for a systematic device characterization over the entire temperature range. In the first mode, the signal wavelength is tuned to always match the peak gain wavelength while in the second mode, the signal wavelength is kept constant as the gain spectrum shifts with the temperature. Static characteristics, such as gain spectra and saturation levels, as well as dynamical properties, are presented. Distortion-less amplification of a single 28 Gbit/s signal and cross-talk free amplification of two channels, detuned by 2 nm, were demonstrated over the entire temperature range.