Microwave optical splitter/amplifier integrated chip (MOSAIC) using semiconductor optical amplifiers

Microwave optical splitter/amplifier integrated chip devices using semiconductor optical amplifiers are investigated for use in large optical signal distribution systems requiring high dynamic range. After demonstrating the need for optical amplification in large optical distribution systems, we show that the amplifier length should be minimized in order to minimize the noise figure, and that the optical power level should be well below the saturation power. We have demonstrated 11 dB fiber-to-fiber RF gain in a 1 X 4 device, and 15 dB single-pass optical gain in an active 1 X 10 multimode splitter.