VERY LOW POWER CONSUMPTION SEMICONDUCTOR OPTICAL AMPLIFIER ARRAY

Abstract

Polarization-insensitive semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) arrays are desired for optical parallel interconnection systems as optical loss compensators[1]. The authors have, for the first time, realized four-channel polarization-insensitive SOA arrays with uniform device characteristics, by employing a novel fabrication method with selective MOVPE[2,3]. Uniform gain of more than 20dB at 100mA injection current was achieved for the four-channel array. However, for practical application of multi-channel array, much lower power consumption is required. Reduction of injection current is important because it decreases power consumption of not only SOA itself but also other electronic circuits such as thermo-electric cooler. As for low power consumption SOAs, a discrete SOA with 20dB gain at 40mA injection current have been reported[4]. However, fabrication method of this SOA is not array compatible. Therefore, such a polarization-insensitive SOA haven’t been yet reported in an array configuration where low power consumption is actually desired.