1.5 mu m multiquantum-well semiconductor optical amplifier with tensile and compressively strained wells for polarization-independent gain

A multiquantum-well optical amplifier for 1.5- mu m wavelength operation using alternating tensile and compressively strained wells in the active region is described. For each bias level measured, the polarization sensitivity of the amplifier gain is 1 dB or less averaged over the gain bandwidth. This amplifier is suitable for integration with other optical devices in photonic integrated circuits which require polarization-independent gain.<
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