Y. Liu

Optical packet switching and buffering by using all-optical signal processing methods

We present a 1 /spl times/ 2 all-optical packet switch. All the processing of the header information is carried out in the optical domain. The optical headers are recognized by employing the two-pulse correlation principle in a semiconductor laser amplifier in loop optical mirror (SLALOM) configuration. The processed header information is stored in an optical flip-flop memory that is based on a symmetric configuration of two coupled lasers. The optical flip-flop memory drives a wavelength routing switch that is based on cross-gain modulation in a semiconductor optical amplifier. We also present an alternative optical packet routing concept that can be used for all-optical buffering of data packets. In this case, an optical threshold function that is based on a asymmetric configuration of two coupled lasers is used to drive a wavelength routing switch. Experimental results are presented for both the 1 /spl times/ 2 optical packet switch and the optical buffer switch.

Nonlinear polarization rotation in semiconductor optical amplifiers: theory and application to all-optical flip-flop memories

We present a model for polarization-dependent gain saturation in strained bulk semiconductor optical amplifiers. We assume that the polarized optical field can be decomposed into transverse electric and transverse magnetic components that have indirect interaction with each other via the gain saturation. The gain anisotropy due to tensile strain in the amplifier is accounted for by a population imbalance factor. The model is applied to a nonlinear polarization switch, for which results are obtained, that are in excellent agreement with experimental data. Finally, we describe an all-optical flip-flop memory that is based on two coupled nonlinear polarization switches.

Error-Free 320-Gb/s All-Optical Wavelength Conversion Using a Single Semiconductor Optical Amplifier

We demonstrate error-free wavelength conversion at 320 Gb/s by employing a semiconductor optical amplifier that fully recovers in 56 ps. Error-free operation is achieved without using forward error correction technology. We employ optical filtering to select the blue sideband of the spectrum of the probe light, to utilize fast chirp dynamics introduced by the amplifier, and to overcome the slow gain recovery. This leads to an effective recovery time of less than 1.8 ps for the wavelength converter. The wavelength converter has a simple configuration and is implemented by using fiber-pigtailed components. The concept allows photonic integration

Error-free all-optical wavelength conversion at 160 gb/s using a semiconductor optical amplifier and an optical bandpass filter

Error-free and pattern-independent wavelength conversion at 160 Gb/s is demonstrated. The wavelength converter utilizes a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) with a recovery time greater than 90 ps and an optical bandpass filter (OBF) placed at the amplifier output. This paper shows that an OBF with a central wavelength that is blue shifted compared to the central wavelength of the converted signal shortens the recovery time of the wavelength converter to 3 ps. The wavelength converter is constructed by using commercially available fiber-pigtailed components. It has a simple configuration and allows photonic integration.

Wavelength conversion using nonlinear polarization rotation in a single semiconductor optical amplifier

We discuss an all-optical wavelength converter based on nonlinear polarization rotation in a single semiconductor optical amplifier. We show that inverted and noninverted wavelength conversion can be realized. We also demonstrate this wavelength-conversion concept can operate over a large wavelength range. Experiments show that error-free wavelength conversion can be obtained at a bit rate of 10 Gb/s.

Optical signal processing based on self-induced polarization rotation in a semiconductor optical amplifier

We demonstrate novel optical signal processing functions based on self-induced nonlinear polarization rotation in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Numerical and experimental results are presented, which demonstrate that a nonlinear polarization switch can be employed to achieve all-optical logic. We demonstrate an all-optical header processing system, an all-optical seed pulse generator for packet synchronization, and an all-optical arbiter that can be employed for optical buffering at a bit rate of 10 Gb/s. Experimental results indicate that optical signal processing functions based on self-polarization rotation have a higher extinction ratio and a lower power operation compared with similar functions based on self-phase modulation.

All-optical demultiplexing of 640 to 40 Gbits/s using filtered chirp of a semiconductor optical amplifier

We present a high-capacity ultrafast all-optical time demultiplexer that can be employed to retrieve 40 gigabits/second (Gb/s) base-rate channels from a 640 Gb/s single-polarized signal. The demultiplexer utilizes ultrafast effects of filtered chirp of a semiconductor optical amplifier. Excellent demultiplexing performance is shown at very low switching powers: +8 dBm (640 Gb/s data) and -14 dBm (40 GHz clock). The demultiplexer has a simple structure and, in principle, allows monolithic integration.

Three-state all-optical memory based on coupled ring lasers

An all-optical memory with three states is presented. The memory is realized from three coupled ring lasers. The state of the optical memory is determined by the wavelength of the memorys output light. In each state, only one wavelength is dominant. The three-state all-optical memory can be utilized in all-optical packet switches. The concept of the memory is explained and experimental results are presented that demonstrate that a contrast ratio larger than 40 dB between output states of the memory can be obtained.

Optical shift register based on an optical flip-flop memory with a single active element

We present an optical shift register that consist out of two serially connected optical flip-flop memories driven by common clock pulses. Each optical flip-flop consists out of two ring lasers sharing a single active element, which makes the optical flip-flops easily cascade with each other. The two cascaded optical flip-flops are controlled by the clock pulses in such a way that the input data set the new state of the first optical flipflop, after the state of the first flip-flop has been transferred to the second optical flip-flop. The concept is demonstrated at an operation speed of 20 kHz, which is limited by the 10 m long laser cavities formed by the fiber pig-tailed components.

320-to-40-gb/s demultiplexing using a single SOA assisted by an optical filter

We demonstrate excellent all-optical demultiplexing of 40-Gb/s base-rate channels out of 160- and 320-Gb/s single polarization optical time-division-multiplexed data streams. The demultiplexer utilizes a semiconductor optical amplifier and an optical filter placed at the amplifier output. The center wavelength of the filter is blue-shifted from the wavelength of the clock signal, so that ultrafast chirp dynamics can be employed for optical switching. Error-free demultiplexing was achieved at very low optical switch powers: 3.5 mW (160-Gb/s data), 6.3 mW (320-Gb/s data), and 0.09 mW (40-GHz clock). The proposed demultiplexer has a simple structure and allows monolithic integration.