A multimode interference device and method of making the same comprises at least one input port, at least one output port, a multimode interference region separating the input port from the output port, and at least one subregion in the multimode interference region, wherein a self-image length within the multimode interference region is reduced by a factor that is approximately equal to one plus a number of subregions configured in the multimode interference region, wherein the at least one subregion is configured to have an effective width and effective refractive index running longitudinally through the multimode interference region. Additionally, the subregion may comprise at least one slot.

Slotted multimode interference device

We develop a model describing harmonic and intermodulation distortions in SOAs. This model, valid for any input spectrum, enables to derive the spurious-free dynamic range of a slowlight delay line based on coherent population oscillations.

Spurious-free dynamic range of a tunable delay line based on slow light in SOA

A multimode interference device and a method of configuring the same comprises a multimode interference region having a major axis; and a plurality of ports connected to a side portion of the multimode interference region, wherein the side portion is positioned in a direction other than perpendicular to the major axis.

Multimode interference device with side input/output ports

Multimode interference (MMI) devices are useful for power splitting and for the separation or combination of wavelengths or polarizations, usually in integrated optics. Input-output guides connect to the MMI region by ports. In all previously reported MMI devices, the input and output guides connect only to the ends of the MMI region; i.e., they are end ported. What is believed to be a novel arrangement of the input-output ports on MMI devices is described. By placing input-output ports either partially or entirely on the sides of the MMI region (i.e., side porting), a variety of benefits are achieved and a variety of new devices can be made.

Multimode interference devices with input-output ports on the sides

Semiconductor optical amplifiers are investigated for use in large optical signal distributions systems requiring high dynamic range. The impact of amplifier length on the gain and noise figure of the microwave signal is illustrated experimentally. The performance of a device which simultaneously splits and amplifies the optical signal using the principle of multimode interference will be discussed, and it will be shown that this device has potentially higher performance that the previous generation Y-branch/amplifier combination.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Simultaneous optical amplification and splitting for lower-noise and higher-gain microwave signal distribution

Microwave optical splitter/amplifier integrated chip devices using semiconductor optical amplifiers are investigated for use in large optical signal distribution systems requiring high dynamic range. After demonstrating the need for optical amplification in large optical distribution systems, we show that the amplifier length should be minimized in order to minimize the noise figure, and that the optical power level should be well below the saturation power. We have demonstrated 11 dB fiber-to-fiber RF gain in a 1 X 4 device, and 15 dB single-pass optical gain in an active 1 X 10 multimode splitter.

Microwave optical splitter/amplifier integrated chip (MOSAIC) using semiconductor optical amplifiers

In this work, multimode interference in a semiconductor optical amplifier is used to simultaneously split (× 10) and amplify a RF signal on an optical carrier.

Roosevelt Johnson

Papers

Microwave optical splitter/amplifier integrated chip (MOSAIC) using semiconductor optical amplifiers

Simultaneous optical amplification and splitting for lower-noise and higher-gain microwave signal distribution

Analog Signal Splitting and Amplification for Optically-Controlled Phased-Array Antennas