All-Optical Demultiplexing Characteristics based on Four-Wave Mixing in Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

Abstract

We have numerically analyzed the basic characteristics of all-optical demultiplexing (DEMUX) based on four-wave mixing (FWM) in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs). For obtaining the high ON-OFF ratio, the optimum input pump pulsewidth is 1~3 ps for 1 ps, 250 Gbit/s probe pulses. From the simulation results, it is clear that for the faster DEMUX operation, SOAs with wider gain bandwidth are required. We have simulated pattern effects in the FWM signal. We have also obtained DEMUX from the time-multiplexed signals by repetitive pump pulses. FWM signal intensity decreases with the strong energy pump pulses. However, there is no pattern effect due to gain saturation because the pump pulses are injected continuously.