Effects of semiconductor laser structure on all optical wavelength conversion rate

As the key apparatus in ASON (Automatic Switched Optical Networks), the All Optical Wavelength Conversion (AOWC) device will take a very important effect. In this paper, based on the theoretical model of wavelength conversion in semiconductor laser, the influence of different photons life on wavelength conversion is discussed by utilizing rate equation under the small-signal analysis. Using FBG-ECL (Fiber Bragg Grating External Cavity semiconductor Laser) and DFB-LD (Distributed FeedBack-Laser Diode), the characteristics of wavelength conversion are discussed and analyzed by experiments in different signal rate and extinction ratio. The result is accordant with theoretical analysis. In conclusion, optimizing semiconductor laser's structure, and reducing photons life are very important to realize high speed all optical wavelength conversion.