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US 12,614,890 B2Granted
Semiconductor optical amplifier with enhanced chromatic dispersion
AssigneeArista Networks, Inc.
InventorsAlexey Kovsh, David Towne, Peter Parkinson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) receives a multiwavelength input optical signal and amplifies the multiwavelength input optical signal to generate an amplified multiwavelength optical signal. A waveguide is coupled to receive the amplified multiwavelength optical signal. The waveguide includes an enhanced chromatic dispersion segment configured to increase chromatic dispersion experienced by the multiwavelength optical signal as the multiwavelength optical signal propagates through the waveguide and is amplified by the SOA. This increase in chromatic dispersion reduces noise, such as four-wave mixing noise, in the amplified multiwavelength optical signal.
Claims20
A semiconductor optical amplifier in a network device, comprising:
- a first cladding layer;
- a semiconductor-based gain medium disposed adjacent the first cladding layer;
- and
- a second cladding layer disposed adjacent the semiconductor-based gain medium, the semiconductor-based gain medium configured to receive a multiwavelength input optical signal and to amplify the multiwavelength input optical signal to generate an amplified multiwavelength optical signal, the semiconductor-based gain medium comprising:
- an active layer disposed adjacent the first cladding layer;
- and
- a waveguide layer disposed between the active layer and the second cladding layer, wherein the active layer receives a current to amplify the multiwavelength input optical signal that propagates through the waveguide layer,
- the waveguide layer comprising a first region, a second region, and a single enhanced chromatic dispersion region disposed between the first and second regions, the enhanced chromatic dispersion region in the waveguide layer having a chromatic dispersion property that is greater than a chromatic dispersion property of the first and second regions,
- wherein the first and second regions exhibit a same level of chromatic dispersion,
- wherein light propagating through the waveguide layer experiences chromatic dispersion in the first region, followed by chromatic dispersion in the enhanced chromatic dispersion region greater than in the first region, followed by chromatic dispersion in the second region less than in the enhanced chromatic dispersion region.
7 more elements
An optical transmitter, comprising:
- a plurality of lasers configured to produce respective optical signals, each optical signal having a wavelength;
- optical components coupled to the plurality of lasers and configured to output a multiwavelength optical signal;
- and
- a semiconductor optical amplifier coupled to the optical components and comprising:
- a first cladding layer;
- a semiconductor-based gain medium disposed adjacent the first cladding layer;
- and
- a second cladding layer disposed adjacent the semiconductor-based gain medium,
- the semiconductor-based gain medium configured to receive a multiwavelength input optical signal and to amplify the multiwavelength input optical signal to generate an amplified multiwavelength optical signal, the semiconductor-based gain medium comprising:
- an active layer disposed adjacent the first cladding layer;
- and
- a waveguide layer disposed between the active layer and the second cladding layer, wherein the active layer receives a current to amplify the multiwavelength input optical signal that propagates through the waveguide layer,
- the waveguide layer having an enhanced chromatic dispersion region disposed between a first region and a second region, the enhanced chromatic dispersion region in the waveguide layer having a chromatic dispersion property that is greater than a chromatic dispersion property in both the first region and the second region.
10 more elements
A network device, comprising:
- electronic circuitry;
- and
- an optical transmitter coupled to the electronic circuitry, the optical transmitter including:
- a plurality of lasers configured to produce respective optical signals, each optical signal having a wavelength;
- optical components coupled to the plurality of lasers and configured to output a multiwavelength optical signal;
- and
- a semiconductor optical amplifier coupled to the optical components and comprising:
- a first cladding layer;
- a semiconductor-based gain medium disposed adjacent the first cladding layer;
- and
- a second cladding layer disposed adjacent the semiconductor-based gain medium,
- the semiconductor-based gain medium configured to receive a multiwavelength input optical signal and to amplify the multiwavelength input optical signal to generate an amplified multiwavelength optical signal, the semiconductor-based gain medium comprising:
- an active layer disposed adjacent the first cladding layer;
- and
- a waveguide layer disposed between the active layer and the second cladding layer, wherein the active layer receives a current to amplify the multiwavelength input optical signal that propagates through the waveguide layer,
- the waveguide layer having an enhanced chromatic dispersion region disposed between a first region and a second region, the enhanced chromatic dispersion region in the waveguide layer having a chromatic dispersion property that is greater than a chromatic dispersion property in both the first region and the second region,
- wherein light propagating through the waveguide layer experiences chromatic dispersion in the first region, followed by chromatic dispersion in the enhanced chromatic dispersion region greater than in the first region, followed by chromatic dispersion in the second region less than in the enhanced chromatic dispersion region.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.