Systems and methods for distributing optical signals using a photonic integrated circuit

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to light-distribution systems on photonic integrated circuits (PIC) that split and amplify a light signal received from at least one remotely located laser into a plurality of amplified light signals, where amplification is provided by an integrated semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). By locating the laser remotely with respect to the SOA-based PIC, the laser and PIC can be subjected to different ambient environmental conditions. Additionally, a lower-power laser can be used since the optical loss associated with splitting is compensated for by the amplification. As a result, lower current densities and optical powers can be used in both the source laser and the SOA. In some embodiments, the sequence of power splitting and amplification is repeated multiple times, thereby enabling system to scale gracefully.