title: SOA gain recovery wavelength dependence: simulation and measurement using a single-color pump-probe technique.
abstract: Measurements to date of the wavelength dependency of gain recovery time in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) have mostly used pump-probe techniques with a pump and probe operated on distinct wavelengths. Choice of pump wavelength, and its relative proximity to the probe wavelength, could influence measurements and impede unambiguous observation of wavelength dependence on recovery dynamics. We use a single-color pump-probe measurement technique to directly access the wavelength dependence of the gain recovery time in bulk InGaAsP SOAs. We used ultrashort pulses from a single mode locked laser to measure unambiguously the spectral dependency and temporal behavior of SOAs. Simulation results using a model that takes into account intra-band and inter-band contributions to SOA saturation, as well as experimental results for the SOA tested, show recovery rate dependency similar to gain spectrum.
authors.affiliation: Center of optics, photonics and lasers, Department of electrical and computer engineering, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mathlouthi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vacondio
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lemieux
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Rusch
mesh_terms: D003124:Colorimetry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055096:Optical Devices; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012666:Semiconductors; D013685:Telecommunications / Q000295:instrumentation*