Abstract:
An analytical model of the dynamic characteristics of
a quantum-well (QW) semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is developed.
Closed-form expressions for the optical gain and crossgain
modulation (XGM) for arbitrary input pulses are derived. The
model takes into account the carrier capture and escape transitions
between theQW and the continuum states. This model is also used
to derive a closed-from expression for interchannel XGMcrosstalk
in multichannel SOA systems. The model/analysis provides insight
into the effect of the SOA parameters on the performance of a
wavelength-division multiplexed system. We found that crosstalk
in a multichannel SOA system can be reduced by reducing the escape
lifetime.