All-optical network subsystems using integrated SOA-based optical gates and flip-flops for label-swapped networks

In this letter, we demonstrate that all-optical network subsystems, offering intelligence in the optical layer, can be constructed by functional integration of integrated all-optical logic gates and flip-flops. In this context, we show 10-Gb/s all-optical 2-bit label address recognition by interconnecting two optical gates that perform xor operation on incoming optical labels. We also demonstrate 40-Gb/s all-optical wavelength-switching through an optically controlled wavelength converter, consisting of an integrated flip-flop prototype device driven by an integrated optical gate. The system-level advantages of these all-optical subsystems combined with their realization with compact integrated devices, suggest that they are strong candidates for future packet/label switched optical networks.