Monolithically Integrated Wavelength-Routing Switch Using Tunable Wavelength Converters with Double-Ring-Resonator Tunable Lasers

Abstract

We present an 8 × 8 wavelength-routing switch (WRS) that monolithically integrates tunable wavelength converters (TWCs) and an 8 × 8 arrayed-waveguide grating. The TWC consists of a double-ringresonator tunable laser (DRR TL) allowing rapid and stable switching and a semiconductor-optical-amplifier-based optical gate. Two different types of dry-etched mirrors form the laser cavity of the DRR TL, which enable integration of the optical components of the WRS on a single chip. The monolithic WRS performed 1 × 8 high-speed wavelength routing of a nonreturn-to-zero signal at 10 Gbit/s. The switching operation was demonstrated by simultaneously using two adjacent TWCs.

Wavelength-Routed Switching for 25-Gbit/s Optical Packets Using a Compact Transmitter Integrating a Parallel-Ring-Resonator Tunable Laser and an InGaAlAs EAM

“…These characteristics include a narrower transmission bandwidth with a Lorentzian-type filter response and an infinite number of resonant peaks in the transmission spectrum. The rapid (less than 11 ns) and stable wavelength tuning (wavelength drift of less than 5 GHz) achieved by the low tuning current of the DRR-TL enables the realization of a fast, scalable, and low-power N × N optical switch [17], [20]. A shortcoming of the DRR-TL is that the output power varies during tuning due to the free-carrier absorption.…”

“…More about the structure and design of the etched mirror can be found in Ref. [20]. In the filter section, each ring resonator plays the role of a wavelength selective filter as well as a loop-mirror in a Mickelson interferometer that is a part of the laser cavity.…”

Effects of Structure Parameters on Temperature Characteristics of Multiple Quantum Well Ring Laser

“…Compared with the other photonic devices, semiconductor ring lasers (SRLs) have received increasing attention, because they can be fabricated without the need for cleaved facet or gratings for optical feedback [4] . Moreover, SRLs have the benefits of compact structure, high density integration, optical bistability, and excellent wavelength selectivity [5] . These features make SRLs particularly suitable for the large scale photonic integrated circuit.…”

Analysis of Threshold Current for InP/ AlGaInAs Multiple Quantum Well Ring Laser

“…Up to now, SRLs have been used for tunable laser [5] , wavelength-routing switch [6] , optical memory [7] , and all-optical logic gate [8] . More recently, a novel monolithic alloptical toggle flip-flop (TFF) with two complementary output was demonstrated based on the intrinsic bistability of SRL and the saturable absorption effect occurred in the reverse-biased input waveguide, and a recorded bit-rate of 500Mb/s for all-optical TFFs was achieved [9] .…”