Title :
Three-state all-optical memory based on coupled ring lasers
Author :
Liu, Y. ; Hill, M.T. ; Calabretta, N. ; de Waardt, H. ; Khoe, G.D. ; Dorren, H.J.S.
Author_Institution :
COBRA Res. Inst., Eindhoven Univ. of Technol., Netherlands
Abstract :
An all-optical memory with three states is presented. The memory is realized from three coupled ring lasers. The state of the optical memory is determined by the wavelength of the memory´s output light. In each state, only one wavelength is dominant. The three-state all-optical memory can be utilized in all-optical packet switches. The concept of the memory is explained and experimental results are presented that demonstrate that a contrast ratio larger than 40 dB between output states of the memory can be obtained.
Keywords :
optical communication equipment; optical storage; optical switches; packet switching; ring lasers; semiconductor optical amplifiers; SOA; all-optical packet switches; contrast ratio; coupled ring lasers; optical memory state; output light wavelength; semiconductor optical amplifier; three-state all-optical memory; Nonlinear optics; Optical coupling; Optical filters; Optical interferometry; Optical packet switching; Optical switches; Ring lasers; Semiconductor lasers; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Telecommunication switching;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/LPT.2003.818221
