Four-channel all-optical wavelength conversion unit based on nonlinear effect of three-section monolithically integrated semiconductor lasers

Abstract

A simple and highly efficient four-channel all-optical wavelength conversion based on four-wave mixing effect of the directly modulated three-section monolithically integrated semiconductor laser is proposed and experimentally investigated. For this wavelength conversion unit, the spacing of the wavelength can be adjusted by tuning the bias current of the lasers and setting it to be 0.4 nm (50 GHz) as a demonstration is this work. A 50 Mbps 16-QAM signal centers at 4–8 GHz is experimentally switched to a targeted path. Up- or downconversion depends on a wavelength-selective switch, and the conversion efficiency can reach up to −2 to 0 dB. This work provides a new technology for photonic radio-frequency switching matrix and contributes to the integrated implementation of satellite transponders.