Abstract

All optical wavelength converters (AOWC) will be key devices in wavelength multiplexed networks, or more generally in photonic switching [1]. Wavelength converters based on cross-gain modulation in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) are attractive [2] because they allow wavelength conversion at any wavelength inside the gain bandwidth, and are robust against temperature, current, and probe wave polarization state variations. However, these devices generally degrade the data extinction ratio, particularly for wavelength conversion on the long wavelength side of the gain curve: this point could severely limit the cascadability of such devices.

© 1995 Optical Society of America