A novel scheme for generating optical dark return-to-zero pulses and its application in a label switching optical network

We experimentally demonstrate a novel and simple method to generate a dark return-to-zero (RZ) pulse with tunable pulsewidth and extinction ratio by using a dual-arm LiNbO /sub 3/ intensity modulator. Our experimental results show that this dark RZ pulse signal can be used in a 10-Gb/s optical packet switching system as an optical label. In addition, we demonstrate that this dark RZ label can be easily erased using the gain saturation effect in a semiconductor optical amplifier.