All-optical wavelength conversion using mode switching in InP microdisc laser

Wavelength conversion using an indium phosphide based microdisc laser (MDL) heterogeneously integrated on a silicon-on-insulator waveguide is reported. Several lasing modes are present within the disc cavity, between which wavelength conversion can be performed by mode switching and spectral filtering. For the first time, low-power wavelength up- and downconversion using one single MDL is demonstrated. Operation with a bit error rate below 10 -9 at 2.5Gbit/s and operation below the forward-error-correction limit of 10-3 at 10Gbit/s are shown without the use of additional seeding beams. © 2011 The Institution of Engineering and Technology.