**2. MZI-SOA features**

This section presents an experimental methodology to study the static and dynamic properties of the MZI-SOA. The device under test is a commercial hybrid-integrated device, manufactured by the centre for integrated photonics (CIP) [7], consisting of a passive, planar silica balanced MZI with nonlinear SOAs and phase shifters (PSs) assembled in each interferometer arm. Sections 2.1 and 2.2 describe the characterization of active and passive components of the MZI-SOA, in static operational conditions. The methodology uses simple optical power measurements to extract operative parameters. Then, section 2.3 investigates the dynamic properties of the MZI-SOA as an optical gate. Overall conclusions about this topic are presented at the end.
