ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the impact of different semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and signal operating conditions on the gain dynamics through experimental observations and numerical simulations. Many theoretical treatments have been conducted aiming at explaining the operation, understanding the dynamics, predicting the behavior, evaluating the performance, and optimizing the working conditions of SOAs. If the full-width at half-maximum is such that its difference from the pulses repetition interval is smaller than the SOA gain recovery time, then the strain imposed on the SOA gain dynamics is heavier. The distinctive properties of SOAs have revived interest for direct signal amplification purposes, which have traditionally been the primary target of SOAs. The characteristics of the encoded pulse stream are degraded as the rate of SOA direct modulation is increased due to the concomitant aggravation of the associated pattern effect.
