CIP Claims SOA Breakthrough

BERLIN -- At ECOC 2007, CIP is launching an innovative semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) offering highly-optimised non-linear operating characteristics that may be used to implement advanced functions in all-optical networks operating at up to 100 gigabits/second.

Offering a gain recovery time of just 10 picoseconds, together with integration-friendly features that make it easy for the SOA to be fabricated in arrays, and 'push fitted' into hybrid components, the device provides a platform for next-generation networks.

"We've had a successful 40 Gbits/second SOA for two years, and employ array versions to produce highly-integrated 2R regenerators. This much improved device - which I believe is the fastest commercial SOA ever created - gives the development community a platform to support 100 Gbits/second all-optical architectures," says David Smith, CTO of CIP. "Its large-spot ultra-low reflectivity interfaces, when combined with our unique hybrid integration technology, make it possible to build component subsystems using passive alignment. This is a genuine breakthrough for all-optical system building."

Centre for Integrated Photonics (CIP) Ltd.