Ultra-fast all-optical signal processing: toward optical packet switching

Abstract

We present some progress in the field of optical signal processing that could be utilized in all-optical packet switching. We demonstrate error-free 160 Gb/s optical wavelength conversion employing a single semiconductor optical amplifier. The gain recovery time of the semiconductor optical amplifier is greater than 90 ps. Assisted by an optical bandpass filter, an effective recovery time of 3 ps is achieved in the wavelength converter, which ensures 160 Gb/s operation. This optical wavelength converter can be controlled by a monolithically integrated optical flip-flop memory to route 80 Gb/s data-packets all-optically. The routing is realized without electronic control. The integrated optical flip-flop is based on two-coupled lasers, exhibits single-mode operation, has 35 dB contrast ratio between the states and switches state in about 2 ns. We demonstrate that the integrated flip-flop is able to control the optical wavelength converter up to 160 Gb/s. The system is capable of routing 80 Gb/s data packets with duration of 35 ns, separated by 15 ns of guard time.

All-Fiber Source of Broadband Light With Modulated Spectrum Based on Twin-Core Fiber

“…These devices offer many attractive features, such as low optical losses, mechanical reliability based on an all-fiber design, and compatibility with fiber networks [2], [3]. Single-mode propagation of coherent light in such devices enables preserving the light wave phase and polarization, whereas guiding of the light energy in a core area with sizes of few microns dramatically increases the efficiency of nonlinear optical processes [4], [5].…”