Cascadability assessment of a 2R regenerator based on a saturable absorber and a semiconductor optical amplifier in a path switchable recirculating loop

We assess a new 2R regenerator based on a microcavity saturable absorber and a semiconductor optical amplifier. Cascadability is demonstrated and the impact of regeneration span is studied in a 10-Gb/s two-path recirculating loop. A wavelength study demonstrates the tunability of the device over 13 mn.