Absorbent dressings, including highly-absorbent dressings having antimicrobial polymer attached thereto via non-siloxane bonds are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes a first interconnect and a second interconnect coupled to the first interconnect. Each individual wavelength travels to a variable attenuator 106 which lowers the signal strength of each signal based on an input from the system controller 108. A radiating patch is formed on the substrate to be spaced apart from the ground pattern at a predetermined distance. The amplifier further includes a wavelength selective reflector for allowing the first portion of the amplified spontaneous emission light to pass through the wavelength selective reflector and reflecting the second portion of the amplified spontaneous emission light again to the semiconductor optical amplifier, thereby clamping the gain of the amplifier.