Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers for Advanced Optical Applications

We present different types of semiconductor optical amplifier, each specifically optimised for a particular optical application. Especially, we focus our attention on which key device parameters are desirable for applications such as in-line optical amplification, or all-optical signal processing. We start from the device design characteristics, focussing on the challenges involved in making leading-edge semiconductor material. We then present a range of SOA's developed at CIP for specific applications, concentrating on the key features of each design. Finally, we, show results from several examples of advanced applications from booster amplification to non linear applications