All-optical flip-flop based on vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers
We report the operation of an all-optical set-reset (SR) flip-flop based on vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers (VCSOAs). This flip-flop is cascadable, has low optical switching power (~10 microW), and has the potential to be integrated on a small footprint (~100 microm(2)). The flip-fl...
Saved in:
Published in | Optics letters Vol. 32; no. 20; p. 2969 |
---|---|
Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
15.10.2007
|
Online Access | Get more information |
Cover
Loading…
Summary: | We report the operation of an all-optical set-reset (SR) flip-flop based on vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers (VCSOAs). This flip-flop is cascadable, has low optical switching power (~10 microW), and has the potential to be integrated on a small footprint (~100 microm(2)). The flip-flop is composed of two cross-coupled electrically pumped VCSOA inverters and uses the principles of cross-gain modulation, polarization gain anisotropy, and highly nonlinear gain characteristics to achieve flip-flop functionality. We believe that, when integrated on chip, this type of all-optical flip-flop opens new prospects for implementing all-optical fast memories and timing regeneration circuits. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 0146-9592 |
DOI: | 10.1364/OL.32.002969 |