Wavelength-converting optical space switch using a semiconductor-optical-amplifier-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer

We propose a wavelength-converting optical-space switch in a Mach-Zehnder i nterferometer based on the semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA), and its p ulse characteristics in the time domain are investigated theoretically. The cross phase modulation and the gating function in the SOA are utilized for a wavelength converter and optical space switch. The output pulse shape of the switch is Varied for different injection current patterns, current lev els, and probe power levels. To reduce the switching time, exponential curr ent injection into the SOA is preferred to the cw current. The influences o f the probe power and bias current of the wavelength converter on the switc hing characteristic are investigated, including the dynamics of the wavelen gth converter. (C) 2000 Society of Photo-Optical instrumentation Engineers. [S0091-3286(00)02812-9].