Highly flexible all-optical wavelength conversion at 2.488 Gbits/s using a multi-output-wavelength laser

Summary form only given. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is an elegant technique for utilizing the huge bandwidth of optical fiber. As WDM systems become more mature, there is a greater need for integrated components that are able to switch selected channels. Switching at individual nodes in the network is likely to incorporate some form of demultiplexing, space switching, and wavelength conversion to allow individual routing of signals. Many techniques have been proposed recently for performing all-optical wavelength conversion, but none have addressed combining the above functions in an integrated form. Here, for the fist time, an integrated device is demonstrated that, in addition to allowing wavelength conversion to any combination of four wavelengths, can perform various important network functions such as space switching and multiplexing.