Patent ID: 6335813
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: G02F,H04B

Abstract:
A device for formatting an optical input signal in the form of a first optical wave modulated between low and high power levels, said device including:a first stage for supplying, as a function of said input signal, a modulating optical signal in the form of a second optical wave modulated between low and high power levels, said high levels being stabilized so that they are not very dependent on the fluctuations in said low and high levels of said input signal, and a second stage including an interferometer structure adapted to receive said modulating signal and to supply an output signal resulting from respectively destructive or constructive interference of first and second coherent waves when the power of said modulating signal is respectively equal to said high and low levels, said structure including first and second guide branches receiving via first coupling means respectively first and second parts of a third optical wave, said branches being respectively provided with first and second semiconductor optical amplifiers, said first amplifier receiving said modulating signal via second coupling means and said first and second amplifiers respectively supplying said first and second coherent waves, in which device said third optical wave is modulated between low and high power levels in phase opposition to the modulation of said modulating signal and said low and high levels of said third optical wave are stabilized so that they are not very dependent on fluctuations in said low and high levels of said input signal.