Contents I. Introduction
The high demand for ultrafast all-optical flexible and dynamic networks based on dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) transmission systems results in intensive efforts in the development of new advanced photonics components to overcome the bottleneck caused by optical-electrical-optical conversions. Quantum-dash based semiconductor mode-locked lasers offer a promising solution for optical communications and signal processing with many unique advantages over quantum well and bulk semiconductor materials [1].
