Swanson Paul D., Parker Michael A., Libby Stuart I. Evaluation of Laser Diode based Optical Switches for Optical Processors

New York: 1993. — 16 p.Three optical switching elements have been designed. fabricated and tested for use in an integrated, optical signal processor. The first, an optical NOR logic gate uses gain quenching as a means of allowing one (or more) light beam(s) to control the output light. This technique, along with the use of a two pad bistable output laser, is used in demonstrating the feasibility of the second device, an all optical RS flip flop. The third device consists of a broad area orthogonal mode switching laser, whose corollary outputs correspond to the sign of the voltage difference between its two high impedance electrical inputs. This device also has possible memory applications if bistable mode switching within the broad area laser can be achieved.