Time-domain modeling of semiconductor optical amplifiers for OTDM applications

An advanced time-domain dynamical model for the investigation of semiconduc tor optical amplifiers (SOA) is presented. The model accounts for the ultra fast gain dynamics, the gain saturation and the gain spectral profile. It i s also suitable for analyzing the amplifier in a system environment. As an example the model is used to investigate the gain dynamics of an SOA as wel l as the characteristics of an interferometer switch semiconductor laser am plifier in a loop mirror (SLALOM). Good agreement between modeling and expe riment is shown, The model can be applied to the investigation of other opt ically time-division multiplexed (OTDM) applications, too.