1.31-to-1.55 μm wavelength conversion by optically pumping a distributed feedback amplifier

We demonstrate a new technique for all-optical wavelength conversion to 1.55 μm by using a 1.3-μm signal that directly pumps a distributed feedback semiconductor optical amplifier. Data polarity can be selected by tuning the probe wavelength to different regions of the Bragg resonance. Polarity-inverted signals exhibit a digital-like transfer function with an on-off ratio of 4 and 2.4 at 155.5 and 622 Mb/s, respectively. This simple wavelength-conversion scheme is insensitive to the direction and polarization of the 1.31-μm signal, and should be affordable for local access and other cost-sensitive optical-network layers.