All-Optical Signal Processing Using Gain Clamped Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

Abstract

All optical signal processing is a key functionality to ensure the operation and growth of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks. In this work we present a review of nonlinear applications of gain clamped semiconductor optical amplifiers (GC-SOA). An overview on recent results of wavelength conversion, signal reshaping, format conversion, and regeneration capabilities is presented; these results demonstrate promising characteristics of GC-SOA based schemes to enable transparent optical networks.

Experimental Analysis of an All Optical NOT Gate and Latch based on an Externaly Clamped Semiconductor Optical Amplifier

“…Gain clamping is frequently used for improving gain linearity and saturation power [4]. Gain clamping is automatic gain control scheme obtained inducing a lasing effect though a resonant cavity formed by a pair of reflective devices, e.g.…”