10 Gbit/s differential receiver for large optical power fluctuation

A 10 Gbit/s optical packet receiver is constructed that features differential signal detection. The receiver has a broadband optical wavelength range 1530-1560 nm and a sensitivity of -26.9 dBm. Even with packet-by-packet power-fluctuation of 6 and 10 dB, the sensitivity penalty is 1.1 and 4.6 dB, respectively. These superior characteristics are useful for receiving fluctuating packets in photonic packet switching.