Optical signal processing device

Abstract

There is provided an optical signal processing device that generates a mask function in an optical domain to enable high-speed RC processing. For light emitted from a laser light source, an optical modulator modulates at a modulation period at least one of the intensity and phase values of the optical electric field. Thereby, the light emitted from the laser light source becomes an input signal. The input signal is entered into an optical FIR filter unit. For the input signal, the term corresponding to the mask function is multiplied at the optical FIR filter unit and weighted. Thereby, the input signal is converted into an input signal modulated. The modulated input signal enters via an optical coupler, an optical circulation circuit which is loaded with a variable attenuator and a nonlinear response element. The circulating optical signal is branched into two by an optical coupler. One branched light is converted into an intermediate signal at an optical receiver. The intermediate signal is computed by a formula at an electric signal processing circuit, and thereby, the operation as RC can be performed.