Apparatus and method for realizing all-optical nor logic device

Abstract

An apparatus and method for realizing an all-optical NOR logic device includes a distributed feedback laser diode and a tunable laser diode respectively generating two pump signals of different wavelengths. The apparatus also includes a pulse generator and a Mach-Zehnder modulator modulating the pump signals. The apparatus also includes a delay line adapted to delay a pump signal that has been split from the modulated pump signals and that travels along one optical path, and a polarization controller and an optical attenuator adapted to control another pump signal that has been split from the modulated pump signals and that travels along another optical path, to have the same polarization and intensity as those of the pump signal passing through the delay line. An Er-doped amplifier amplifies the sum of the pump signals so that the amplified pump signal sum saturates a semiconductor optical amplifier. The semiconductor optical amplifier exhibits gain saturation and wavelength conversion characteristics in response to an output signal from the Er-doped fiber amplifier and a probe signal passing therethrough. A plurality of 50:50 fiber couplers are coupled to respective output ends of the laser diodes, the Mach-Zehnder modulator, the attenuator, and the Er-doped fiber amplifier in order to conduct coupling and splitting operations for the pump signals.