In the modern era of rapid digital transformation, optical communication systems have become vital to meeting the ever-growing demand for high-speed and reliable data transmission. At the core of these systems, access networks facilitate connectivity between end-users, such as residential and business subscribers, and wide-area networks, supporting essential services like cloud computing, video conferencing, and remote work. As global data consumption surges driven by mobile communication, internet video services, and increasing reliance on cloud technologies, there is a growing demand for bandwidth, necessitating upgrades to the current Passive Optical Network (PON) systems. However, traditional solutions, such as avalanche photodiodes (APDs), struggle to meet these demands due to their limited gain-bandwidth product, constraining both bandwidth and responsivity.
This thesis proposes the integration of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) with a uni-travelling carrier photodiode (UTC-PD) to develop a preamplified receiver that meets the demands of next-generation access networks with speeds exceeding 100 Gbps. An Optimized SOA-UTC design was successfully demonstrated, exhibiting remarkable performance metrics. Additionally, a first successful proof of concept for a novel and disruptive fabrication approach was achieved, underscoring the potential of this technology to significantly advance optical communication systems.