Abstract

Using current photonic integration technology different active and passive optical components can be combined on a single chip. The operation of active components, such as semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) and in particular lasers, is disturbed by optical feedback down to the −50dB level. Such feedback can be caused by reflections of the device output signal on components further downstream in the circuit. Thus some form of integrated optical isolation is required to prevent destabilization of active devices.

© 2007 IEEE