10-Gb/s RZ-DPSK transmitter using a saturated SOA as a power booster and limiting amplifier

01 June 2004

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The performance of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) in the deep saturation regime is studied for single-channel return-to-zero- (RZ-) and non-return-to-zero- (NRZ-) differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) and on-off keying (OOK) signals at 10 Gb/s. 

It is found that saturated SOAs can be used as power boosters and limiting amplifiers for RZ-DPSK transmitters with almost no compromise of performance.