5-Gb/s XOR optical gate based on cross-polarization modulation in semiconductor optical amplifiers

We demonstrate a new design for a XOR optical gate operating in the GHz regime using the cross-polarization modulation effect in a semiconductor optical amplifier. Dynamic and optically controlled polarization rotation in the devices is used to control the output power of the device. Static extinction ratio of the order of 20 dB can be obtained. Bit rate doubling at rate of 1.2 and 2.5 Gb/s have been demonstrated.