All-optical format conversion using an ultrafast polarization bistable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

Summary form only given.Ultrafast polarization bistable switching with a 7 ps switching-time in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) has been demonstrated. We propose and experimentally demonstrate an all-optical format conversion (both RZ to NRZ and vice versa) using an ultrafast polarization bistable VCSEL. Our numerical simulation predicts that 20 Gbit/s signals can be converted. For many systems, particularly those in which dispersion plays a consequential role, the NRZ transmission format may be prefer able. Using the memory function and thresholding function of the polarization bistable VCSEL, the all-optical format conversion from RZ to NRZ can be accomplished.