New time-space-time optical packet switching node based on nonlinear polarization rotation of a semiconductor optical amplifier

In this paper, we establish a simple model to analyze the semiconductor optical amplifier's (SOA) nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) and acquire the variable curves of phase difference between TE and TM modes with bias current, pump power, probe power, and linewidth enhancement factor (LEF). The results indicate that the optical switch based on the SOA's NPR can be realized by changing the pump's optical power and the main operating parameters, such as bias current and hold beam power, and then the pump power can be determined. On this basis, a time-space-time (T-S-T) optical packet switching node is proposed, in which the SOA's NPR switch is the basic element. Then, the T-S and S-T experimental systems are set up, and the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed switch scheme can implement the optical switching function in accordance with the routing requirement. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) exceeds 20 dB, and the extinction ratio (ER) is more than 10 dB after being delayed and switched in the node.