Optical AND/OR gates based on monolithically integrated vertical cavity laser with depleted optical thyristor...

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optoelectronics
• Integrated Optics
• Semiconductor Devices

Background:

• Optical switches and logic gates are crucial for high-speed optical communication and computing.
• Existing devices often require complex integration or lack multi-functionality.
• Vertical cavity lasers (VCLs) and optical thyristors offer potential for compact and efficient optical switching.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate monolithic integration of VCLs with depleted optical thyristor structures.
• To realize latching optical switches with AND and OR logic functionalities.
• To evaluate the performance characteristics of the integrated device.

Main Methods:

• Monolithic integration of vertical cavity lasers with depleted optical thyristor structures.
• Fabrication using an oxidation process.
• Characterization of threshold current, on/off contrast ratio, and optical output power efficiency.
• Demonstration of AND and OR logic functions by adjusting reference switching voltage.

Main Results:

• Achieved low threshold current of 0.65 mA for the thyristors.
• Obtained a high on/off contrast ratio exceeding 50 dB.
• Demonstrated dual AND/OR logic functionality from a single device by changing the switching voltage.
• The fabricated thyristor laser exhibited high optical output power efficiency and sensitivity to optical input.

Conclusions:

• The monolithic integration of VCLs and optical thyristors successfully creates versatile optical logic gates.
• The developed device offers efficient and sensitive optical switching with dual AND/OR logic capabilities.
• This technology presents a promising advancement for integrated photonic circuits and optical computing.