Monolithic semiconductor component for regenerating optical signals

A monolithic semiconductor component (100) for regenerating in accordance with different first and second regeneration regimes an optical data signal (sd, sE2) in the form of an optical carrier wave amplitude modulated at a modulation frequency, said regeneration using an optical clock signal (c1) with a repetition frequency substantially equal to said modulation frequency, said component comprising:

• a saturable absorber structure (3) having at one end (Ex1) a first saturable absorber section (31);
• a first optical waveguide (1, 11 to 16) defining a first guide axis (X) disposed on either side of said first section and adapted to inject said clock signal (c1) into said first section, an output (S1) of said first waveguide (1) being adapted to deliver a first data signal (s1) regenerated in accordance with said first regime;
• and
• a second optical waveguide (2, 21 to 24) defining a second guide axis (Y) crossing the first axis (X) in said first section and disposed on either side of said first section (31), the second waveguide being adapted to inject the data signal (sE2) into said first section, and an output (S2) of said second waveguide (2) being adapted to deliver a second data signal (s2) regenerated in accordance with said second regime;
• said saturable absorber structure having a dimension along the first guide axis greater than its dimension along the second guide axis.