Reflective Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Pulse Propagation Model

Abstract

A simple time-domain model for optical pulse propagation in a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA) is described. The RSOA saturation energy, effective carrier lifetime, and spectral hole-burning parameters used in the model are determined using experimental measurements of the input and output pulse temporal profiles to the RSOA and least mean-square fitting. The model accurately predicts the propagation of 39.6 ps pulsewidth variable energy pulses in the RSOA. The model is used to predict the RSOA gain dynamics, spatial dependence of the pulse shape, and dynamic chirp.