Low Polarization Sensitive Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Co-Integrated with Passive Waveguides for Optical Datacom and Telecom Networks

For device application in Datacom and Telecom networks, low polarization sensitive (PS) SOAs with easy fabrication process co-integrated with passive photonic circuits are highlyessential.In this work,alow polarization sensitive SOA based on a bulk active layer is designed, fabricated and characterized. Theresults of the present work focuson the investigation of low polarization ridge waveguideswith bulk active layer. In the proposed structure,the SOA is integrated with other passive waveguides, thereforeexhibitingits potential application to be integrated in a photonic integrated circuit. The low polarization sensitivity of bulk SOA is provenfora wide range of input power (-25dBm to 10 dBm) and wavelength for network-device applications. Characterizations of anSOA with length of 1.5mmco-integrated with 2.3 and 0.8mm passive waveguides indicate 17dB net gain with a polarization dependent gain (PDG) between 0.3dB and 3dB at 1588nm wavelength and 125mA bias currentfor different input optical powers.