10-Gb/s agile wavelength conversion with nanosecond tuning times using a multisection widely tunable laser

Simultaneous wavelength conversion and high-speed wavelength switching has been demonstrated using a multisection grating-assisted coupler sampled reflector laser. A high-output extinction ratio (>20 dBm) over a 30-nm wavelength range was observed. The 10-Gb/s data was switched between different output wavelengths at a 2.5-Gb/s rate and transmitted over 50 km of dispersion-shifted fiber with a small measured power penalty (<2 dB).