Wavelength conversion using nonlinear polarization rotation in a single semiconductor optical amplifier

Abstract—We discuss an all-optical wavelength converter based on nonlinear polarization rotation in a single semiconductor op-tical amplifier. We show that inverted and noninverted wavelength conversion can be realized. We also demonstrate this wavelength-conversion concept can operate over a large wavelength range. Ex-periments show that error-free wavelength conversion can be ob-tained at a bit rate of 10 Gb/s. Index Terms—All-optical wavelength converter, birefringence, nonlinear polarization rotation, semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). I