Filter-free wavelength converter

Abstract

It is necessary to use the continuous wave (CW) light and the optical input signal in the same direction in order to improve the conversion speed. Furthermore, in order to simplify the configuration of the optical transmission system including wavelength converters, the function capable of separating or removing the optical input signal should be included. Filter-free wavelength converters for separating and rejecting the optical input signal are being developed using the multimode interference semiconductor optical amplifier (MMI-SOA). The gain or phase modulation of the CW light is caused in the MMI-SOA. Furthermore, the CW light and the optical input signal are separated in the MMI-SOA in which the output port depends on the input port. Therefore, no optical filter is required for rejecting the optical input signal, and it is possible to converse to the same wavelength. Owing to filter-free wavelength conversion, the use of a tunable light source is available so that the configuration of the wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) network system can be small-sized and variably employed, thereby the performance and the capacity of optical communication system can be improved.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.