SELF-PHASE MODULATION COEFFICIENT OF MULTIPLE-QUANTUM-WELL OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS

The self-phase modulation coefficient gamma of 1310 mm multiple-quantu m-well (MQW) semiconductor optical amplifiers has been investigated, I t is found to vary from 16 x 10(4) W(-1)m(-1) for low driving conditio ns to 3 x 10(4) W(-1)m(-1) for high-driving conditions, This implies t hat the amount of self-phase modulation occurring in the amplifier is between 1,5-10x more than that occurring in the optical fiber followin g the amplifier. The additional self-phase modulation caused by the se miconductor optical amplifier may be used to achieve compensation for fiber dispersion in optical communication systems at significantly low er average power levels. The linewidth enhancement factor alpha(H) was Found to increase from a value of 2 at low driving conditions, in. ag reement with results reported for MQW lasers, to a value of 3 at high- driving conditions.