Abstract
All-optical processing of high-speed signals is expected to be a key technology in future photonic networks. VCSELs are very promising devices for these applications due to their inherent advantages. Nonlinear transfer functions can be obtained by using optical injection because it strongly affects the transverse mode and polarization characteristics of VCSELs [1]. Optical injection can be used to obtain polarization switching (PS) of single transverse mode VCSELs. When the polarization of an injected optical field is orthogonal to that of the solitary VCSEL (orthogonal optical injection), PS and bistability are observed [2]. PS by optical injection is expected to be fast and thus suitable for application in all-optical signal-processing systems. In this work we report, for the first time to our knowledge, all-optical inversion operation using PS in a 1550nm single-mode VCSEL induced by orthogonal optical injection. We demonstrate all-optical inversion for NRZ signals at a bit rate of 2.5 Gb/s. An all-fiber system has been developed in order to inject the light from a tunable laser into a commercial 1550nm-VCSEL (RayCan, Co.). The free-running VCSEL emits in the fundamental transverse mode with a linear polarization (parallel polarization) over the whole current range. The subsidiary orthogonal polarization is shifted 0.48 nm to the long wavelength side with respect to the dominant one. Pulsed optical injection was obtained by using a pulse pattern generator and a Mach-Zhender intensity modulator.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 2011 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe and 12th European Quantum Electronics Conference, CLEO EUROPE/EQEC 2011 |
Number of pages | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 6 Sep 2011 |
Event | 2011 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe and 12th European Quantum Electronics Conference, CLEO EUROPE/EQEC 2011 - Munich, Germany Duration: 22 May 2011 → 26 May 2011 |
Conference
Conference | 2011 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe and 12th European Quantum Electronics Conference, CLEO EUROPE/EQEC 2011 |
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Country/Territory | Germany |
City | Munich |
Period | 22/05/11 → 26/05/11 |
Keywords
- Mach-Zehnder interferometers
- laser tuning
- optical fibre polarisation
- optical pulse generation
- optical switches
- surface emitting lasers