We demonstrate error-free wavelength conversion at 320 Gb/s by employing a semiconductor optical amplifier that fully recovers in 56 ps. Error-free operation is achieved without using forward error correction technology. We employ optical filtering to select the blue sideband of the spectrum of the probe light, to utilize fast chirp dynamics introduced by the amplifier, and to overcome the slow gain recovery. This leads to an effective recovery time of less than 1.8 ps for the wavelength converter. The wavelength converter has a simple configuration and is implemented by using fiber-pigtailed components. The concept allows photonic integration

Error-Free 320-Gb/s All-Optical Wavelength Conversion Using a Single Semiconductor Optical Amplifier

Error-free and pattern-independent wavelength conversion at 160 Gb/s is demonstrated. The wavelength converter utilizes a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) with a recovery time greater than 90 ps and an optical bandpass filter (OBF) placed at the amplifier output. This paper shows that an OBF with a central wavelength that is blue shifted compared to the central wavelength of the converted signal shortens the recovery time of the wavelength converter to 3 ps. The wavelength converter is constructed by using commercially available fiber-pigtailed components. It has a simple configuration and allows photonic integration.

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Error-free all-optical wavelength conversion at 160 gb/s using a semiconductor optical amplifier and an optical bandpass filter

This paper presents views on the future of optical networking. A historical look at the emergence of optical networking is first taken, followed by a discussion on the drivers pushing for a new and pervasive network, which is based on photonics and can satisfy the needs of a broadening base of residential, business, and scientific users. Regional plans and targets for optical networking are reviewed to understand which current approaches are judged important. Today, two thrusts are driving separate optical network infrastructure models, namely 1) the need by nations to provide a ubiquitous network infrastructure to support all the future services and telecommunication needs of residential and business users and 2) increasing demands by the scientific community for networks to support their requirements with respect to large-scale data transport and processing. This paper discusses these network models together with the key enabling technologies currently being considered for future implementation, including optical circuit, burst and packet switching, and optical code-division multiplexing. Critical subsystem functionalities are also reviewed. The discussion considers how these separate models might eventually merge to form a global optical network infrastructure

Future Optical Networks

Ultrahigh nonlinear tapered fiber and planar rib Chalcogenide waveguides have been developed to enable highspeed all-optical signal processing in compact, low-loss optical devices through the use of four-wave mixing (FWM) and cross-phase modulation (XPM) via the ultra fast Kerr effect. Tapering a commercial As2Se3 fiber is shown to reduce its effective core area and enhance the Kerr nonlinearity thereby enabling XPM wavelength conversion of a 40 Gb/s signal in a shorter 16-cm length device that allows a broader wavelength tuning range due to its smaller net chromatic dispersion. Progress toward photonic chip-scale devices is shown by fabricating As2S3 planar rib waveguides exhibiting nonlinearity up to 2080 W-1ldr km-1 and losses as low as 0.05 dB/cm. The material's high refractive index, ensuring more robust confinement of the optical mode, permits a more compact serpentine-shaped rib waveguide of 22.5 cm length on a 7-cm- size chip, which is successfully applied to broadband wavelength conversion of 40-80 Gb/s signals by XPM. A shorter 5-cm length planar waveguide proves most effective for all-optical time-division demultiplexing of a 160 Gb/s signal by FWM and analysis shows its length is near optimum for maximizing FWM in consideration of its dispersion and loss.

/pdf/applications-of-highly-nonlinear-chalcogenide-glass-devices-2y0n8i5qcf.pdf

Applications of Highly-Nonlinear Chalcogenide Glass Devices Tailored for High-Speed All-Optical Signal Processing

This paper reviews ultrahigh-speed data transmission in optical fibers based on optical time division multiplexing (OTDM) transmission technology. Optical signal processing in the transmitter and receiver as well as the requirements on ultrahigh-speed data transmission over a fiber link are discussed. Finally, results of several OTDM-transmission experiments, including 160-Gb/s transmission over 4320 km, 1.28-Tb/s transmission over 240 km, and 2.56-Tb/s transmission over 160-km fiber link, are described

Ultrahigh-Speed OTDM-Transmission Technology

Error-free all-optical wavelength conversion at 168 Gb/s, which is the highest repetition rate ever reported, has been achieved by using a symmetric-Mach-Zehnder (SMZ)-type switch. Low-power-penalty 84-Gb/s operation is also demonstrated. The push-pull switching mechanism of the SMZ switch enables such ultrafast operation based on cross-phase modulation associated with the carrier depletion in a semiconductor optical amplifier. The configuration of the delayed-interference signal-wavelength converter, which is a simplified variant of the SMZ switch, is used in this experiment.

/pdf/168-gb-s-all-optical-wavelength-conversion-with-a-symmetric-16we3vcc3x.pdf

Y. Ueno

Papers

168-Gb/s all-optical wavelength conversion with a symmetric-Mach-Zehnder-type switch