Performance of an optical amplifier/modulator based on a diode laser

The performed numerical simulation shows that the main parameter determining the performance of an optical amplifier/modulator is the stimulated-emission cross section (differential gain) in the active region. A cross section of ~3×10^-15 cm², which is quite realistic for modern heterostructures with quantum-well active regions, may provide an amplifier/modulator performance sufficient for data transfer at a rate of ~20 Gbit s^-1.