In this paper, we discuss the feasibility of optical programmable logic devices based on non-linear processing with semiconductor optical amplifiers. We carried out simulations of the architecture of an all-optical 4-bit Look-up Table, which is the basic logic element of larger-scale programmable devices, and experimental results from a proof-of-concept setup using commercially available devices.Experimental work with photonic integrated circuits to assess the feasibility of integration of such architectures is also presented.
Abstract
A design of all-optical half-subtractor (AOHS) is presented based on two-dimensional (2-D) photonic crystal (PhC) waveguides without using optical amplifiers and nonlinear materials. It is an essential component of various photonic integrated circuits. The design of AOHS circuit is based on beam interference principle, using square lattice of Y-shaped and T-shaped waveguides with silicon dielectric rods in air substrate. It is validated through finite-difference time-domain and using MATLAB simulations.
AbstractErbium-doped planar optical amplifiers can find numerous applications in photonic integrated circuits operating at 1.5 μm. The challenge is to fabricate these devices with high gain, operating at low pump power, and having small overall size. In this paper a review is given of our recent work in the area of Er-doped waveguide materials and amplifiers based on three materials classes: oxide films (A12O3, Y2O3, SiO2), polymers, and silicon.
Programmable all-optical logic gates based on semiconductor optical amplifiers