Optical logic gate decision-making circuit combining non-linear materials on soi

Abstract

An optical logic gate decision-making circuit that combines non-linear materials, such as silicon nitride, on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate is described. Circuitry includes a ring cavity coupled to an input optical bus waveguide. The input optical bus waveguide receives an optical signal and passes the optical signal to the ring cavity. An electro-optical device, for instance a PN junction, is integrated within the ring cavity to modulate the optical signal such that an optical logic gate function is enabled. An output optical bus waveguide is also coupled to the ring cavity, which outputs the optical signal modified based on the optical logic gate function and based on a wavelength routing function. By using silicon nitride, the optical non-linearity of the materials enables an 'all-optical' logic gate. Thus, the optical logic gate decision-making circuit is suitable for all-optical circuits, and support ultrafast optical signal processing and enabling packet switching of data.