Phase dynamics of InAs/GaAs quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

The gain and phase dynamics of InAs∕GaAs quantum dot amplifiers are studied using single and two-color heterodyne pump probe spectroscopy. The relaxation of the wetting layer carrier density is shown to have a strong effect on the phase dynamics of both ground and excited state transients, while having a much weaker effect on the gain dynamics. In addition, the dynamical alpha factor may also display a constant value after an initial transient. Such behavior is strongly encouraging for reduced pattern effect operation in high speed optical networks.

[1]  Tomoyuki Akiyama,et al.  Pattern-effect-free semiconductor optical amplifier achieved using quantum dots , 2002 .

[2]  D. Bimberg,et al.  On ultrafast optical switching based on quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers in nonlinear interferometers , 2004, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.

[3]  John Houlihan,et al.  Electron and hole dynamics of InAs∕GaAs quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifiers , 2007 .

[4]  John Houlihan,et al.  Measurement of linewidth enhancement factor in self-assembled quantum dot semiconductor lasers emitting at 1310 nm , 2004 .

[5]  D. Poitras,et al.  Femtosecond gain and index dynamics in an InAs/InGaAsP quantum dot amplifier operating at 1.55 microm. , 2006, Optics express.

[6]  W. Freude,et al.  Temporal Dynamics of the Alpha Factor in Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers , 2007, Journal of Lightwave Technology.

[7]  G. Huyet,et al.  The linewidth enhancement factor alpha of quantum dot semiconductor lasers. , 2006, Optics express.

[8]  Andrea Fiore,et al.  Giant linewidth enhancement factor and purely frequency modulated emission from quantum dot laser , 2005 .

[9]  D. Birkedal,et al.  Ultrafast gain dynamics in quantum-dot amplifiers: theoretical analysis and experimental investigations , 2005, IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics.

[10]  D. Bimberg,et al.  Linewidth enhancement factor in InGaAs quantum-dot amplifiers , 2003, IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics.

[11]  R. Manning,et al.  Carrier capture dynamics of InAs∕GaAs quantum dots , 2007 .

[12]  D. Bimberg,et al.  Spectral hole-burning and carrier-heating dynamics in quantum-dot amplifiers: comparison with bulk amplifiers , 2001 .