Terabit optical signal processing based on time-space-conversion

Ultrafast optical signal processing based on time-space-conversion technology enables many operations such as formation, reshaping, pattern recognition and even routing of a Terabit stream. We have proposed time-space-conversion optical signal processing using an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG). An AWG consisting of two slab waveguides and a waveguide array is used in a reflection-type configuration. The first slab waveguide acts as a star coupler, the second one as a Fourier-transform lens, and the waveguide array functions as a dispersive element. A temporal waveform is converted to a frequency spectrum in the focal plane of the AWG. The frequency spectrum is then modulated in parallel by a spatial filter and reconverted to a reshaped temporal waveform