Simultaneous Demultiplexing and Wavelength Conversion of NRZ Optical Signals using a Side-Injection-Light-Controlled Bistable Laser Diode

Abstract

Photonic digital switches will be indispensable in future all-optical nodes for both time- and wavelength-division processing of optical signals for digital regeneration, Mux/Demux, and wavelength conversion. A bistable laser diode has the potential to achieve time- and wavelengh-divison processing simultaneously because it is inherently capable of digital regeneration due to its memory characteristics and of wavelength conversion when a side-injection structure is used [1,2]. This paper reports optical demultiplexing of 1 Gbps NRZ signals with simultaneous wavelengh conversion using a side-injection-light-controlled bistable laser diode (SILC-BLD) module with pigtailed fibers and a monitoring pin-photodiode.