Numerical simulation of multifunctional SOAs

Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are multifunctional devices. The main functions they can perform are amplification, modulation, detection, and wavelength conversion. Different functions can be integrated in a single device, as demonstrated by transparent in-line modulator-detectors for LAN applications. A numerical simulator has been built to design and optimize these multifunctional SOA devices. It gives access to the SOA's internal and external behaviors, as well as system performances.