A simple method to characterize dynamic parameters of semiconductor waveguide amplifiers

Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) are indispensable both for optical time domain multiplexed (OTDM) and wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical networks. To fully utilize the potential of SOAs, evolution of a short optical pulse inside SOAs is important. To understand the pulse propagation dynamics, one must know small signal gain, carrier recombination time, linewidth enhancement factor, saturation energy, the differential gain coefficient, and other parameters. Here, we present a pump-probe technique to simultaneously measure these five quantities. The technique is insensitive to pulse shaping and broadening in the SOA, which occurs to the optical pulse propagating through the SOA.