10 Gbit/s RZ-OOK to RZ-BPSK format conversion using SOA and synchronous pulse carver

Conversion of return-to-zero on-off keying (RZ-OOK) to RZ binary phase-shift keying (RZ-BPSK) by transient cross-phase modulation in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA), and a synchronous pulse carver, is demonstrated for the first time using commercially available components. A receiver sensitivity gain of ~ 1.5 dB was achieved for RZ-BPSK relative to baseline RZ-OOK.