Analysis of switching windows in a gain-transparent SLALOM configuration

Experimental and theoretical switching windows in an interferometric configuration with a gain-transparent semiconductor optical amplifier in a loop mirror (GT-SLALOM) are investigated. The amplifier gain and phase dynamics are analyzed in detail. For the gain dynamics, experimental and theoretical pumpprobe results are presented. The phase dynamics is investigated theoretically It is shown that the insertion of an optimized nonreciprocal phase shift in the GT-SLALOM configuration increases the contrast of the switching windows and, thus, improves the performance of the switch for demultiplexing applications. The influence of an asymmetric coupling ratio of the 3-dB input/output coupler on the switching contrast is also discussed.