Experimental evaluation of modulation induced by continuous waves in a semiconductor optical amplifier

• Published in: 2009 11th International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks pp. 1 - 4
• Main Authors: Di Bartolo, Silvia, Duca, Elisa, Forin, Davide M., Betti, Silvello, Teixeira, Antonio L. J.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01-06-2009
• Subjects: Charge carrier density; cross gain modulation; cross phase modulation; nonlinear effects; Nonlinear optics; Optical modulation; Optical propagation; Optical pumping; Optical refraction; Optical variables control; Phase modulation; population pulsation; Predictive models; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; SOA
• DOI: 10.1109/ICTON.2009.5185059
• ISBN: 9781424448258; 1424448255
• ISSN: 2162-7339

Many simulative approaches have been proposed to investigate semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) behaviour, in order to model its performance when used in several scenarios. Most of the applications of SOAs are based on the propagation of maximum two signals within the active medium, thus, higher order phenomena due to beating of more than two signals are not always correctly predicted by usual simulative models. In this paper we report some experimental results which validate an accurate model for SOA nonlinearities. This model is based on calculation of nonlinear susceptibility whose expression depends on multicarrier propagation. In particular, three signals are considered and their nonlinear interaction is evaluated by measuring a modulation arising on one of the signals.