ANALYSIS OF WAVELENGTH CONVERSION USING A MULTISECTION DBR LASER WITHA SATURABLE ABSORBER

We have analyzed the static performance of a wavelength converter obta ined by a multisection DBR laser with a saturable absorber between two gain sections. For this device an optical input signal at one given w avelength is converted into an output signal at the lasing wavelength. The performances are evaluated in terms of conversion efficiency, sup pression ratio and minimum input power needed for wavelength conversio n. It is shown that a proper choice of the injected signal wavelength with respect to the lasing wavelength enhances the conversion efficien cy and the suppression ratio and reduces the switching power. The perf ormance can be enhanced also by increasing the electrical current appl ied to the first gain section, provided that the second gain section i s biased above the transparency level. We have shown that reduction of the front facet reflectivity results in a dramatic increase for the c onversion efficiency. The sensitivity to the electrical bias condition and to the resonant condition of the injected signal with respect to the cavity have also been investigated.