Abstract

There is considerable interest in ultrafast alloptical switches for applications in future signal processing and communications systems. Much work has been concerned with devices using high speed all-optical nonlinearities [1], although recently Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOAs) have shown advantages as wavelength conversion switching elements. However, when used in purely cross-gain modulation arrangements [2], problems with cascadability arise due to low contrast ratio switching. Purely cross-phase modulation interferometric approaches [3] offer enhanced contrast ratios, but can suffer stability and control problems, as well as distortion of the switched signal by unwanted cross-gain modulation.

© 1996 Optical Society of America