20 Gbit/s All-Optical Regeneration and Wavelength Conversion using SOA Based Interferometers

A novel optical translator that can perform 3R regeneration and wavelength conversion of very high speed return-to-zero signals is proposed and demonstrated. The basic element consists of two semiconductor optical amplifiers integrated into an interferometer in either a Mach-Zehnder or a Michelson configuration. The regenerator capability of a monolithic integrated device is investigated experimentally at bit rates up to 20 Gbit/s but much higher bit rates can be envisioned. It is demonstrated that the regenerator is able to perform very efficient re-timing.