Synchronization Detection Using XGM in SOA for All-Optical Preprocessing

We report experimental demonstration of synchronization detection using semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). We show the feasibility with which the timing of the signal can be actually monitored and with little impact on signal light. When return-to-zero ON-OFF-keyed signal light and a probe light are launched into SOA, error-free operation at 10.7 Gb/s is demonstrated with small power penalty as compared with the case which the probe light is not launched, then the amplified signal can be directly used for the following all-optical processing circuit.