Semiconductor laser amplifiers as all-optical frequency converters

All-optical frequency conversion of an optical data signal can be achieved by a traveling-wave semiconductor laser amplifier over a spectral range given by its entire gain spectrum (>or=10 THz). Experimental and theoretical results for the frequency conversion efficiency are presented. The effect of gain saturation and the wavelength dependence are discussed in order to find the optimum conditions for the conversion efficiency, Simultaneous conversion of an optical data signal to several wavelengths is also considered. Finally, the requirements are specified for an optical filter, which selects the converter data signal out of the total optical spectrum.