Linear And Nonlinear Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers For Next Generation Optical Networks

In this book, semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are studied with a view to linear and nonlinear applications in next-generation optical networks. Quantum-dot SOAs can be optimized for linear amplification of signals with different modulation formats and multiplexing techniques. Conversely, bulk SOAs can be easily optimized for operation in the nonlinear regime. However, due to the fast carrier recovery times in QD SOAs we also look into nonlinear applications with these devices.

This invaluable book provides a comprehensive treatment of the design and applications of the semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). SOAs are important components for optical communication systems with applications as in-line amplifiers and as functional devices in evolving optical networks. The functional applications of SOAs were first studied in the early 1990s; since then, the diversity and scope of such applications have been steadily growing.Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers is self-contained and unified in presentation. The treatments in the book are detailed enough to capture the interest of the curious reader and sufficiently complete to provide the necessary background to explore the subject further. It is intended to be used as an advanced text by graduate students and by practicing engineers but is also suitable for non-experts who wish to have an overview of optical amplifiers./a

Self-coherent receivers are promising candidates for reception of 100 Gbit/s data rates in optical networks. Self-coherent receivers consist of multiple optical delay interferometers (DI) with high-speed photodiodes attached to the outputs. By DSP of the photo currents it becomes possible to receive coherently modulated optical signals. Especially promising for 100 Gbit/s networks is the PolMUX DQPSK format, the self-coherent reception of which is described in detail.

The semiconductor optical amplifier has emerged as an important component in many optical fibre communication, switching and signal processing systems. This invaluable information source provides a comprehensive and detailed treatment of the design and applications of SOAs.

Optical amplifiers play a central role in all categories of fibre communications systems and networks. By compensating for the losses exerted by the transmission medium and the components through which the signals pass, they reduce the need for expensive and slow optical-electrical-optical conversion. The photonic gain media, which are normally based on glass- or semiconductor-based waveguides, can amplify many high speed wavelength division multiplexed channels simultaneously. Recent research has also concentrated on wavelength conversion, switching, demultiplexing in the time domain and other enhanced functions. Advances in Optical Amplifiers presents up to date results on amplifier performance, along with explanations of their relevance, from leading researchers in the field. Its chapters cover amplifiers based on rare earth doped fibres and waveguides, stimulated Raman scattering, nonlinear parametric processes and semiconductor media. Wavelength conversion and other enhanced signal processing functions are also considered in depth. This book is targeted at research, development and design engineers from teams in manufacturing industry, academia and telecommunications service operators.

"Nanostructure Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers" reviews all-optical processing methods currently available and presents semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) as a new building block for this purpose. The authors discuss the overcomes of high frequency operation of SOAs and propose a new all-optical pumping method for the implementation of semiconductor optical amplifiers.

This chapter provides an overview of considerations for the development of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) for the next generations of packet-switched optical networks. SOA devices are suitable candidates in order to realize high-performance optical gates due to their high extinction ratio and fast switching time. However such devices also introduce linear and nonlinear noise. The impact of SOA devices on several modulation formats via theoretical model, numerical simulation, and experimental validation is studied. Impairments introduced by SOAs are considered in order to derive some general network design rules.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Applications of Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers" that was published in Applied Sciences