Wavelength conversion from 1.3 to 1.55 mu m using split contact optical amplifiers

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Abstract
Wavelength conversion of data from an optical carrier at a wavelength of 1.31 mu m to an optical carrier within the 1.5- mu m telecommunications window was demonstrated using a split-contact semiconductor nonlinear Fabry-Perot optical amplifier. Conversion was achieved by modulating the amplifier gain seen by a 1.55- mu m continuous-wave signal by saturating an absorber section using a modulated 1.31- mu m signal. Data transfer was possible from 1.31 mu m up to wavelengths between 1.53 and 1.585 mu m for bit-rates of up to 400 Mb/s. The maximum output contrast ratio was 3:1 and the minimum power at 1.31 mu m required for switching was approximately 60 mu W. By optically pumping the amplifier to above the lasing threshold using the 1.31- mu m signal, conversion was obtained to a fixed multiwavelength output with a 10-dB contrast ratio.