All-optical XOR gate with optical feedback using highly Ge-doped nonlinear fiber and a terahertz optical asymmetric demultiplexer

We experimentally demonstrate an all-optical exclusive-OR (XOR) gate with optical feedback using a highly Ge-doped nonlinear fiber. The XOR is achieved based on cross-polarization rotation in nonlinear fiber, while the optical feedback employs a terahertz optical asymmetric demultiplexer (TOAD). The TOAD simultaneously cleans up the XOR output and converts the wavelength of the feedback signal to allow proper feedback operation. The performance of the all-optical XOR gate with optical feedback is studied through both experimental and simulation analysis. An open eye diagram of the XOR output in feedback mode is obtained experimentally, and a correct logic operation in feedback mode is proved through simulation.     

Design of all-optical reconfigurable logic unit with bacteriorhodopsin protein coated microcavity switches

We present a theoretical design of an all-optical reconfigurable logic unit based on optically controlled microcavity switches, for realization of all-optical computing circuits. It can execute different logic and arithmetic operations such as half and full adder or subtractor, by only changing the control inputs on the same circuit. Theoretical designs considering bacteriorhodopsin (BR) protein coated microcavities in tree architecture have been presented. The combined advantages of high Q-factor, tunability, compactness, switching of near-IR signals at telecom wavelengths (1310/1550 nm) with low-power control signals, and flexibility of cascading switches to form circuits, makes the designs promising for practical applications. They combine the ultrahigh sensitivity of both BR and microresonators to define a novel paradigm of all-optical computing based on hybrid nanobiophotonic integration.     

Multi-channel terahertz wavelength division demultiplexer with defects-coupled photonic crystal waveguide

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) wavelength division demultiplexer based on a compact defects-coupled photonic crystal waveguide is proposed and demonstrated numerically. This device consists of an input waveguide that perpendicularly coupled with a series of defects cavities, each of which captures the resonance frequency from the input waveguide. Coupled-mode theory and finite element method are used to analyze the transmission properties of the structure. It is found that the transmission wavelength centered around 1 THz can be adjusted by changing the geometrical parameters of defects cavities, which equals to THz waves generated by optical methods such as difference frequency generation and optical rectification. Applications in this frequency range are urgently needed. Furthermore, the highest transmission efficiency of 0.94 can be achieved when a perfect wavelength-selective mirror is set in the output waveguide.     

All-optical clocked delay flip-flop using a single terahertz optical asymmetric demultiplexer-based switch: a theoretical study

A flip-flop (FF) is a kind of latch and the simplest form of memory device, which stores various values either temporarily or permanently. Optical FF memories form a fundamental building block for all-optical packet switches in next-generation communication networks. An all-optical clocked delay FF using a single terahertz optical asymmetric demultiplexer-based interferometric switch is proposed and described. Numerical simulation results are also reported.     

Fabrication of a multichannel wavelength-division multiplexing-passive optical net demultiplexer with arrayed-waveguide gratings and diffractive optical elements

A novel, to our knowledge, integrated wavelength-division multiplexing-passive optical net demultiplexer that uses an arrayed-waveguide grating and diffractive optical elements is presented. The demultiplexer is used to distribute 1.3-mum wavelength signals and to multiplex an eight-channel wavelength-division multiplexer spectrum at a 1.55-mum wavelength. The device shows high functionality and good optical performance. The measured cross talk was less than -21 dB, and the 3-dB bandwidth was determined to be 97 GHz, which is close to the theoretical value of 93 GHz. Average losses of 4.5 and 8 dB were measured for the 1.3- and the 1.55-mum signals, respectively.     

Double-layer networks with holographic optical switches

The double-layer networks have the advantages of being strictly nonblocking and having a simpler routing algorithm, the lowest system insertion loss, a zero differential loss, fewer drivers, fewer interconnection lines, fewer crossovers, and the best signal-to-noise-ratio characteristic compared with any nondilated network. Using holographic optical switches to construct these networks not only eliminates all interconnection lines and crossovers but also reduces the number of drivers.     

Intraplane to interplane optical interconnects with a high diffraction efficiency electro-optic grating

We report on a new optical interconnect architecture for three-dimensional, multiple electro-optic gratings with LiNbO(3) used in conjunction with substrate guided waves. First the operating mechanism of the system is studied in detail, and the momentum mismatch in the operating process of the system is also demonstrated. We then derive a new method for calculating coupling efficiency by introducing a compensation for the mismatch. This theoretical research allows the new optical interconnect architecture to provide a higher design accuracy and an optimized coupling efficiency, even though it is under the case of momentum mismatch. We achieve this result by introducing a substrate guided wave with 45 degrees bouncing angle and 100-V applied voltage. The successful design and its theoretical analysis will be helpful for research on the grating coupler.     

Realizing optical logic with a smart-pixel spatial light modulator

A method of implementing optical logic has been realized experimentally with a novel liquid crystal on silicon spatial light modulator with an integrated lens arrays. The device allows for three optical inputs and one optical output per pixel. The different logic functions realized, OR, and, nor, nand, and xor, are discussed.     

Field-programmable logic devices with optical input-output

A field-programmable logic device (FPLD) with optical I/O is described. FPLD's with optical I/O can have their functionality specified in the field by means of downloading a control-bit stream and can be used in a wide range of applications, such as optical signal processing, optical image processing, and optical interconnects. Our device implements six state-of-the-art dynamically programmable logic arrays (PLA's) on a 2 mm x 2 mm die. The devices were fabricated through the Lucent Technologies-Advanced Research Projects Agency-Consortium for Optical and Optoelectronic Technologies in Computing (Lucent/ARPA/COOP) workshop by use of 0.5-mum complementary metal-oxide semiconductor-self-electro-optic device technology and were delivered in 1998. All devices are fully functional: The electronic data paths have been verified at 200 MHz, and optical tests are pending. The device has been programmed to implement a two-stage optical switching network with six 4 x 4 crossbar switches, which can realize more than 190 x 10(6) unique programmable input-output permutations. The same device scaled to a 2 cm x 2 cm substrate could support as many as 4000 optical I/O and 1 Tbit/s of optical I/O bandwidth and offer fully programmable digital functionality with approximately 110,000 programmable logic gates. The proposed optoelectronic FPLD is also ideally suited to realizing dense, statically reconfigurable crossbar switches. We describe an attractive application area for such devices: a rearrangeable three-stage optical switch for a wide-area-network backbone, switching 1000 traffic streams at the OC-48 data rate and supporting several terabits of traffic.     

A new asymmetric dual source multilevel inverter topology with reduced power switches

Multilevel inverters can synthesize a high-voltage staircase waveform with low- and medium-voltage components. A new multilevel inverter topology called Asymmetric Dual Source Multilevel Inverter (ADS-MLI) is proposed. When compared to the topologies found in the literature, it can produce multiple levels in the output voltage with fewer power switches. Most of the topologies found in the literature require cascading features to achieve asymmetric operation; but the ADS-MLI can operate without the need for cascading. A simulation prototype capable of synthesizing 13 levels is developed in MATLAB Simulink environment. Its performance is evaluated in the aspects of; number of switching components, efficiency, THD, switching voltage stress and common mode voltage. The simulated efficiency and power quality of the DS-MLI is validated using a 1 kW prototype fabricated using FGA25N120-ANTD controlled by FPGA-SPARTAN 6 processor. Further, the DS-MLI is field tested with a 1 kW solar PV unit and the results are presented.     

Nanostructured metal film with asymmetric optical transmission

We demonstrate for the first time a nanostructured planar photonic metamaterial transmitting light differently in forward and backward directions.     

Multi-input optical parallel logic processing with the shadow-casting technique

The lensless shadow-casting technique for coded pattern processing usually accommodates two inputs at a time to perform desired logical operations in parallel. A method of binary encoding is proposed that can accommodate multiple input patterns for simultaneous processing. With the proposed multiple-input encoding a carry-look-ahead technique of binary addition is developed that requires fewer processing steps than the conventional ripple-carry method. Experimental results for a few logic-processing operations are included to establish the validity of the proposed technique.     

Reconfigurable optical interconnects by a combined computer-generated hologram and spatial light modulator method

A new method for implementing electrically addressed dynamic optical interconnects is presented. In this approach a phase spatial light modulator (SLM) is combined with a computer-generated hologram (CGH). The phase SLM is used to change the phase of the wave front that illuminates the CGH. Binary orthogonal phase codes are used to address the SLM. The CGH is designed with iterative discrete on-axis encoding so that different wave fronts direct light to different locations. High efficiency can be achieved because of the large number and the small dimensions of pixels in the CGH. The dynamic aspects result from the use of an SLM that may have a relatively small number of relatively large pixels. In this manner a high-efficiency programmable interconnect system with fast reconfiguration time based on current technology devices may be implemented. The CGH-SLM method yields connection efficiencies significantly higher than previous methods that are based on the use of thin optical elements. Simulation results indicate that for switch sizes in the range from 1 × 2 to 1 × 8, connection efficiencies of higher than 1/ √N (where N is the number of possible destinations) are feasible.     

Arithmetic logic unit of a computer based on spin-polarised single electrons

The design of an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is presented using 'single spin logic' where classical binary bits 0 and 1 are encoded in orthogonal spin polarisations of single electrons hosted in semiconductor quantum dots. The logic signal (spin state) is transmitted from one spin to the next via nearest-neighbour exchange interaction. The ALU circuits are implemented by placing the quantum dots in specific geometric patterns on a wafer so as to realise the desired relationships between the input and output spin states.     

Frequency-multiplexed logic circuit based on a coherent optical neural network

We propose an adaptive logic circuit whose function can be controlled by optical carrier frequency modulation. The circuit learns the desired functions by adjusting the delay time at a spatial light modulator with a complex-valued Hebbian learning rule. After the learning, the circuit can switch its function all at once. A high degree of mechanical stability is achieved by spatial phase-difference coding. Two orthogonal phase components are detected in parallel spatially. Experiments demonstrate that the system works as an AND circuit at a certain frequency and as an XOR at another. The proposal will enhance the design of optical plastic cell architectures.     

Characterizing a fiber-based frequency comb with electro-optic modulator

We report on the characterization of a commercial- core fiber-based frequency comb equipped with an intracavity free-space electro-optic modulator (EOM). We investigate the relationship between the noise of the pump diode and the laser relative intensity noise (RIN) and demonstrate the use of a low-noise current supply to substantially reduce the laser RIN. By measuring several critical transfer functions, we evaluate the potential of the EOM for comb repetition rate stabilization. We also evaluate the coupling to other relevant parameters of the comb. From these measurements, we infer the capabilities of the femtosecond laser comb to generate very-low-phase-noise microwave signals when phase-locked to a high-spectral-purity ultra-stable laser.