| 摘要 |
A wavelength converter with a monolithically integrated delay loop in a delayed interference configuration that needs only one SOA or other non-linear optical element coupled to the input fiber, a first coupler to arranged to split the output of the SOA or other non-linear optical amplifying element into two paths having controllable delay and phase shift characteristics, and at least one output coupler to combine the signals present on the two paths to provide the converter output. Unlike piror-art hybrid wavelength converters, one embodiment of the invention has a monolithically integrated delay loop utilizing an asymmetryc coupler that can be either the first coupelr or the second coupler, or both. Another embodiment of the invention has a coupler that does not require an asymmetric splitting ratio, and has either a gain element in one of the paths, an attenuation element in one of the paths, or both. If desired, yet another coupler can be added to the wavelength converter to couple out part of the light in one of the paths, thereby obtaining a better extinction ratio. |
