In recent years, telecommunication has been gearing up to provide a world of more convenient and seamless experiences. The new technological advancements, especially the coupling of Superluminescent diodes(SLDs) and Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers(SOAs) serve a remarkable contribution in this gear-up. This technical marriage has opened a wide range of possibilities and created channels for improvising telecommunication to the next level.
Today, through this blog, we will understand how this powerhouse duo is revamping the telecommunication industry.
Superluminescent diodes (SLDs) are special forms of conventional laser diodes, but differ from them in the output characteristics. Unlike traditional lasers, SLDs create a broad spectrum of light that is intense from laser and lies in between the spectra of coherent light of lasers and dispersed light of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Therefore, Superluminescent Diode covers an expanded spectrum of wavelength and is beneficial in applications that require high power, broad bandwidth, and low coherence of light.
Applications of SLDs
Telecommunication: Telecommunication requires higher and intense bandwidth of light spectra for a seamless experience. That’s why Superluminescent diodes are extensively used in this industry for fast and potential results.
OCT: Optical Coherence Tomography or OCT is another significant application of SLDs. Medical professionals use SLDs to analyze the human body from the inside for a more detailed diagnosis and tissues level inspections.
3D Mapping: Superluminescent Diodes are incredibly used to create 3D structures of unreached areas through remote sensing and laser technology. They can yield highly accurate results to understand the surface even in sea surfaces.
Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOAs) are the optical signal enhancer that plays a crucial role in the telecommunication industry. Optical signals are the lighwaves that carry information in the form of energy. But these waves are weak in nature and require a boost for achieving a long reach. When entered into SOAs, these optical signals are amplified and become more potent for creating a seamless and lag free communication system.
A Semiconductor Optical Amplifier utilizes the semiconductor material and the Light emitting diodes or LEDs but functions differently. SOAs inject a wave of electric current to the optical signals for generating more photons. It ensures that the light signal travels long without losing its strength and information. That’s why SOAs are considered a vital component of telecommunication, data transmission, and information exchange.
So far we have seen how Superluminescent diodes and semiconductor optical amplifiers are capitalizing telecommunication. But, in the recent scenario, we are using the synergy of these technologies for more enhanced results. Yes, by integrating SLDs with SOAs we can boost telecommunication beyond our imaginations. Where SLDs can provide higher bandwidth and incoherent light spectra, SOAs can amplify these signals for maintaining consistency and covering long distances without losing information.
Here are some benefits of coupling SLDs with SOAs:
This technology is like a newborn baby which is continuously evolving. Scientific researchers believe that in the future, it will prove itself in many other fields apart from telecommunication industries. We have aligned some future advancements for you below,
Biomedical Imaging: Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers are going to enhance OCTs by harnessing the power of Superluminescent diodes. In future it will become easy to diagnose tissue or cellular level changes through optical coherence tomography with this duo.
Fiber Optic Gyroscopes: These are crucial for navigation systems in aviation, aerospace, and defense applications. SLDs and SOAs can enhance the precision and stability of these gyroscopes.
Laser Sources for Test and Measurement: SLDs can be used in test and measurement equipment to calibrate and analyze other optical components and systems.
Being an emerging technology, Superluminescent diodes and Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers also face challenges in scalability and require optimization for improved results. Let’s have a look on the challenges:
The synergy of SLDs and SOAs is revolutionary technology and changing the landscape of various industries. Have a look on some of the real life examples
Conclusion
Superluminescent diodes and Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers are unique technologies that are going to evolve and will change the future of the current industrial landscape with a wide range of possibilities. But the use must be restricted to a safe and controlled diameter so that it will become helpful for all. That’s why we should learn more about this technology and unveil the future scope of improvements. To know more about SLDs and SOAs stay tuned with us.
