Wavelength converter using semiconductor optical amplifier Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on XPM at 40 Gb/s for future transport networks

Abstract

We have simulated, for the first time, wavelength converter for future broadcast networks at 40 Gb/s using low-cost semiconductor optical amplifiers. The performance analysis is carried out for an all-optical frequency converter based on cross-phase modulation in two semiconductor optical amplifiers arranged in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer configuration to evaluate the efficiency of conversion. The results, evaluated analytically for input, return to zero signal at a bit rate of 40 Gb/s show that conversion is possible over a wavelength separation of 1 nm between the pump and the input wavelength. Increasing the driving current can decrease the cross-phase modulation effect. The cross gain modulation scheme shows extinction ratio degradation for conversion to longer wavelengths. © 2009 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.