Repeated wavelength conversion of 10 Gbit/s signal using wavelength-tunable semiconductor lasers

Repeated wavelength conversion of 10 Gbit/s pseudorandom non-return-to-zero signals is demonstrated using superstructure grating distributed Bragg reflector lasers operating in the 1.55-μm wavelength region. Error-free and very low-power-penalty wavelength conversion can be achieved in both first and second wavelength conversion for a fixed converted wavelength over a broad wavelength range from 1.486 to 1.573 μm (about 90-nm wide). The power penalty of the transmitted signal light through the first wavelength conversion device increases when the converted wavelength is switched from 1.544 to 1.573 μm periodically at a repetition frequency of 40 MHz. The increase in power penalty, however, is less than 6 dB even when the bit error rate is 10/sup -12/.