Flip-flops using polarization bistable VCSEL with AND-gate functionality by two wavelength inputs

Abstract

Abstract:We investigated all-optical flip-flop operations with AND-gate functionality by injecting data and set inputs with different wavelengths to a 1.55-µm polarization bistable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. Control of the phase difference between the two inputs is not needed for stable operation, which differs from the same wavelength case we have used thus far. Thus, this proposed method will simplify all-optical signal processing systems. The wavelength difference dependencies of the switching power and the timing jitter of the polarization switching were measured for 1-ns data pulses. For 2 GHz wavelength difference, the data (set) pulse power was about −20 (−14) dBm and the timing jitter was about 110 ps. The BER was about 8 × 10 −3 .