All-optical time-division demultiplexer using semiconductor switching

An all-optical time-division demultiplexer system is proposed that employs semiconductor switching. The technique can be applied through the use of input infrared signals of wavelengths ≥1 μm. The device is simple to construct and has a potential capacity of 1 Tbit/s, with cross talk between channels of only approximately -13 to -17 dB at operating wavelengths between 1 and 15 μm, respectively. The optimum characteristics and the operational parameters are also presented.