Gain optimization in switches based on semiconductor optical amplifiers

Author

Jeong, Gibong ; Goodman, Joseph W.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. Eng., Stanford Univ., CA, USA

Volume

13

Issue

4

fYear

1995

fDate

4/1/1995 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

598

Lastpage

605

Abstract

The distribution of unsaturated gains that minimizes the noise figure of a three-stage optical switch based on semiconductor-optical-amplifier (SOA) gates is found. Gain saturation under both unidirectional (isolators inserted) and bidirectional (no isolators) propagation of spontaneous emission noise is analyzed, and a noise figure penalty associated with the absence of isolators is determined. Determination of the optimal set of pump currents is a nonlinear optimization problem, while determination of the optimum set of saturated gains is a linear optimization problem. The latter solution is found analytically, while the former solution requires a nonlinear optimization approach. The results are extended to the case of a sequence of N SOA´s

Keywords

laser noise; laser theory; optical isolators; optical pumping; optical saturation; optical switches; optimisation; semiconductor lasers; semiconductor switches; spontaneous emission; bidirectional propagation; gain optimization; gain saturation; isolators; linear optimization problem; noise figure; noise figure penalty; nonlinear optimization approach; nonlinear optimization problem; pump currents; saturated gains; semiconductor optical amplifier switches; spontaneous emission noise; three-stage optical switch; unidirectional propagation; unsaturated gains; Isolators; Noise figure; Nonlinear optics; Optical noise; Optical propagation; Optical pumping; Optical saturation; Optical switches; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Stimulated emission;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.372472

Filename

372472