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Published on: August 5, 2013
Photonic logic NOR gate based on two symmetric microring resonators.
T A Ibrahim1, K Amarnath, L C Kuo
1Laboratory for Physical Sciences, 8050 Greenmead Drive, College Park, Maryland 20740, USA.
Optics Letters
|December 21, 2004
Summary
We developed an all-optical NOR logic gate using matched microring resonators. This device switches light signals with low energy and a fast window, enabling efficient photonic logic circuits.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics
- Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- All-optical logic gates are crucial for high-speed computing.
- Microring resonators offer compact and efficient photonic devices.
- Gallium Arsenide-Aluminum Gallium Arsenide (GaAs-AlGaAs) heterostructures are suitable for optoelectronic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate an all-optical NOR logic gate.
- To utilize symmetric GaAs-AlGaAs microring resonators for optical switching.
- To investigate the performance metrics of the developed logic gate.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of symmetric GaAs-AlGaAs microring resonators with closely matched resonances.
- Tuning two input pump data streams to one resonance for switching.
- Switching a probe beam tuned to another resonance via two-photon absorption.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated an all-optical NOR logic gate functionality.
- Achieved a switching energy of 20 pJ/pulse.
- Observed a switching window of 40 ps, limited by carrier lifetime.
- Utilized two microring resonators for enhanced cascading and port availability.
Conclusions:
- The developed microring resonator-based NOR gate shows promise for photonic logic.
- The low switching energy and fast response time are advantageous for optical circuits.
- The two-ring configuration facilitates improved cascading in integrated photonic logic.
