A Fast Electro-Optical Amplified Switch using a Resistive Combiner for Multi-Pulse Injection

A fast electro-optical amplified switch with high contrast and large bandwidth based on semiconductor optical amplifiers has been developed. The switch is driven by a microwave resistive combiner and voltage to current converter that is capable of generating a fast current formatted pulse from the addition of tree pulse generators voltage signals. The formatted pulse contains a fast impulse whose time position, width and amplitude can be optimized in order to enhance the switching time and the optical output gain excursion. The experimental electro-optical off-on switching time is 650 ps and the on-off is 450 ps, with an optical gain variation from -8 dB to 18 dB over all operating wavelengths. Simulation results are also presented, with good correspondence to practice