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Conversion efficiency to longer wavelengths in four-wave-mixing-based wavelength conversion in optical semiconductor amplifiers is generally much lower than that in the opposite direction. This study demonstrates experimentally that this feature is drastically improved, and the asymmetry between conversion directions is eliminated by using quantum dots in the active layer. We attribute this to a reduction in linewidth enhancement factor due to the discreteness of the electron states in quantum dots. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A nonlinear device capable of handling multiple wavelength channels simultaneously by using spectral-hole burning in the inhomogeneous broadening of the gain in self-assembled quantum dots is proposed. The multichannel property of this device stems from the localized absorption or gain change at the pump wavelength within the inhomogeneously broadened gain spectrum. The spectral width of the modulation and its time evolution was also evaluated. The result indicates the applicability of this device to multichannel operation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A wavelength converter that uses four-wave mixing (FWM) in an SOA-integrated distributed-feedback (DFB) laser was demonstrated. Lossless conversion up to 300-GHz detuning and a conversion efficiency of -5 dB at 1-THz detuning was achieved. The device exhibited low ASE (noise) level, and noise figure (NF) characteristics of 24 dB for 16-nm wavelength conversion was observed. This high-efficiency FWM wavelength conversion provided by a single device is promising for optical wavelength shifters in large-scale optical communication systems [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]