Optical signal processing using monolithically integrated semiconductor laser amplifier structures

Optical signal processing using monolithically integrated semiconductor laser amplifier (SLA) structures will play an important role in future optical networks. In this paper we focus on the development of such devices for optical time-division multiplexing (OTDM) systems. Interferometer arrangements consisting of one or two SLAs are very attractive for this purpose. Here the cross-phase modulation due to the gain-saturation nonlinearity of SLAs provides the differential phase shift required for interferometric switching.