Abstract

Ultrafast gain dynamics in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA’s) is of great interest because of the potential application of SOA’s in high-speed optical networks. It also enables to obtain a better understanding of the fundamental physical processes involved in the interaction between a short optical pulse and a high density plasma. Here, we present experimental results obtained by a 150 fs cross-gain modulation technique. This novel technique enables us to probe the gain recovery at different wavelengths around the pump wavelength with a high spectral resolution. The pump wavelength itself can be varied over a large region. We will present results obtained with the pump in the gain region as well as in the absorption region. The results are obtained on a 500 μm long SOA operated at 250 mA, providing a maximum gain of 29 dB at 1530 nm.

© 1998 IEEE