A Simultaneous Variable Optical Weight and Delay in a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier for Microwave Photonics

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate how a single semiconductor optical amplifier can serve as a simultaneous variable optical weight and tunable optical delay for microwave photonics. The device weight, or power transmission, and delay can be controlled simultaneously and independently from each other by varying the input optical power and the semiconductor bias current. The dual functionality is achieved by combining the effects of slow and fast light with cross-gain modulation in the semiconductor. We experimentally demonstrate a tunable delay range of 100 ps and RF gain range of -6 dB to +3 dB for a 600 MHz microwave signal and show how the weight and delay of the device can be separately tuned. The delay range and bandwidth of the device are limited by the semiconductor carrier lifetime, characteristic of slow and fast light. As a simultaneous optical weight and delay, as well as a wavelength converter, a semiconductor optical amplifier operating in this manner can be a compact and versatile element in microwave photonics, radioover-fiber, and general analog optical signal processing.

Microwave Characteristics Analysis of Typical Photosensitive Material InP Under Weak Light Irradiation Based on Quasi-Optical Resonator

“…The main research areas are generally classified into two parts, the study of the transmission and processing of microwave signals by optical technology and the application of microwave technology in optical systems to promote the development of optical communication networks and systems. Therefore, the basis of microwave photonics is the interaction between the optical signal and microwave signal through specific materials or devices [6][7][8][9][10].…”

Special Issue on Applications of Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

“…During recent years, the technology of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) has remarkably been evolving and has matured to the point that it presently is established as a key enabler for the development, implementation, optimization, and overall establishment of photonic circuits, subsystems, and networks (see indicatively [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]). Owing to the remarkable advancements that have been achieved in the field, SOAs are commercially available devices that exhibit several important properties, such as strong nonlinearities, low power consumption, wavelength flexibility, large dynamic range, fast response, broadband and versatile operation, small footprint, and capability for scalable integration in single chips at affordable cost [17].…”