High-Speed All-Optical Encoder and Comparator at 120 Gb/s Using a Carrier Reservoir Semiconductor Optical Amplifier.

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Optical Computing
• Semiconductor Devices

Background:

• All-optical encoders and comparators are crucial for high-speed optical computing, offering low latency and power consumption.
• Carrier reservoir semiconductor optical amplifier-assisted Mach-Zehnder interferometers (CR-SOA-MZIs) have shown promise in previous all-optical arithmetic circuit research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically analyze an all-optical encoder and comparator architecture operating at 120 Gb/s.
• To extend the application of CR-SOA-MZI structures for implementing key logic operations (A¯B, AB¯, AND, NOR, XNOR).
• To evaluate the performance and stability of these logic operations and investigate critical design parameters.

Main Methods:

• Numerical analysis of an all-optical encoder and comparator architecture.
• Implementation of five logic operations using CR-SOA-MZI structures.
• Performance evaluation using the quality factor (QF) and investigation of design parameter impacts.

Main Results:

• The CR-SOA-MZI architecture was analyzed for operation at 120 Gb/s.
• Five logic operations (A¯B, AB¯, AND, NOR, XNOR) were successfully implemented.
• Quality factor values of 17.56, 17.04, 19.05, 10.95, and 8.33 were achieved, respectively, demonstrating robust signal integrity.

Conclusions:

• The CR-SOA-MZI-based configuration is viable for high-speed all-optical logic circuits.
• The architecture demonstrates potential for advanced optical computing and photonic information processing.
• Further investigation into design parameters confirms the feasibility of stable, high-speed operation.