Assessment of Low Polarization Dependent Multicast and Select Switch Based on Bulk SOA for Data Center Application

We have designed, fabricated, and characterized a low polarization dependent multicast and select (MCS) switch based on a newly developed novel bulk SOA co-integrated with passive waveguides. The proposed new bulk SOA-based MCS switch requires the co-integration of active SOAs (gate and booster) with several passive InP elements. First, we have presented a theoretical analysis and the design and properties of the proposed bulk SOA and demonstrated its low polarization-dependent properties. Then, we evaluated and characterized the switch's performance, including gain, optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), and data transmission features. The experimental results verify that the MCS switch exhibits polarization-dependent gain in the range of 0.1 to 2.2 dB for all ports and a broadband gain of approximately 70 nm across all ports. The measured OSNR, for all channels, is > 42 dB at 1580 nm. Moreover, experimental data transmission assessments show operation at high bitrates of 30 Gb/s with a low power penalty of less than 1 dB at 10-9. The dynamic power penalty range of the switch is also investigated. The MCS switch exhibits a wide range of > 20 dB input power dynamic range for a power penalty of less than 3 dB for a 10 Gb/s NRZ signal.