Dual Signal Optical Bistability in a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier

Future all-optical signal processing applications may require the use of multiple optical signals passing through a single, optically bistable device. My thesis investigates an improved model for modeling two optical signals passing through an optically bistable Fabry-Perot semiconductor optical amplifier (FP-SOA). The optical power and phase of these signals are both modeled, as well as the optical gain of the FP-SOA. My improved model is based on an improved model used to study optical bistability of just a single optical signal, in which the internal power is related to the output power with an expression accounting for the Fabry-Perot structure. Work has been performed to put all models into a consistent notation. The resulting, improved model for dual-signal operation indicates lower critical powers to trigger bistable action.