Abstract
Optical buffers, storing entire packets of data, are important components for ultra-high-speed, multi-access TDM networks. Long-term, high-rate, pulse pattern storage has been demonstrated in modelocked fiber ring laser configurations [1,2]. These storage loops have relied on electro-optic amplitude modulation technique to set the data rate and to stabilize the data pattern. In this paper we present what we believe is the first demonstration of a high-rate, all-optical storage ring, using cross-gain saturation in a semiconductor amplifier to provide the amplitude modulation in the loop. This loop stores a 1.25 kbit packet at 10 Gb/s. The stored data pattern builds up spontaneously from noise. Demonstrating the feasibility of this optical amplitude modulation is important because it may extend the operating range of these devices to 100 Gb/s, for example, using a soliton compression source to provide the optical modulation [3] and taking advantage of high speed nonlinearities in the semiconductor material [4,5].
© 1995 Optical Society of America
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