Polarization independent bulk active region semiconductor optical amplifiers for 1.3 mu m wavelengths

Semiconductor optical amplifiers for 1.3 mu m are realized combining single-step grown bulk active region with ridge-waveguides. Achieved fiber-to-fiber gains are in excess of 27 dB with spectral ripples below 0.2 dB, Gain is polarization insensitive to within 1 dB over the entire range of driving current, 1.28 mu m to 1.34 mu m wavelength and 10 degrees C to 50 degrees C heat sink temperature. Intrinsic noise figure is 6.3 dB, Gain saturates at +10 dBm.