Monolithically Integrated Wavelength Converter for Intra-Data Center Routing Applications

A wideband wavelength converter based on cross gain modulation has been demonstrated by using a monolithically integrated semiconductor optical amplifier and 12-channel distributed feedback lasers. Error-free operation unicast wavelength conversion of 10-Gb/s non-return-to-zero ON-OFF keying data payload has been demonstrated with 3-dB power penalty and around 0.5 dB extra penalty for transmission over 2-km single-mode fiber for intra-data center application. Performance of the wavelength converter multicasting operation of two channels has also been assessed by controlling the distributed-feedback lasers. Experimental results show 4.5 dB power penalty after multicast wavelength conversion. The wavelength conversion of uni-/multi-casting operations would provide a compact, low power, and low-cost solution for wavelength routing-based intra-data center networking applications.