Modeling of semiconductor optical amplifier gain characteristics for amplification and switching

• Main Authors: Mahad, Farah Diana, Mohd. Supa'at, Abu Sahmah, Idrus Suta, Sevia Mahdaliza, Forsyth, David Ian
• Format: Book Section
• Published: American Institute of Physics 2011
• Subjects: TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/29469/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3586986

The Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA) is presently commonly used as a booster or pre-amplifier in some communication networks. However, SOAs are also a strong candidate for utilization as multi-functional elements in future all-optical switching, regeneration and also wavelength conversion schemes. With this in mind, the purpose of this paper is to simulate the performance of the SOA for improved amplification and switching functions. The SOA is modeled and simulated using OptSim software. In order to verify the simulated results, a MATLAB mathematical model is also used to aid the design of the SOA. Using the model, the gain difference between simulated and mathematical results in the unsaturated region is <1dB. The mathematical analysis is in good agreement with the simulation result, with only a small offset due to inherent software limitations in matching the gain dynamics of the SOA.