Integrated Multi-Bit All-Optical NOR Gate for High Speed Data Processing

In this paper, we study the use of integrated semiconductor optical amplifiers as the basic building block for larger-scale programmable photonic circuits. Making use of the non-linear response of these devices, we study the performance of 4-bit all-optical NOR gates based on fully integrable components for high speed all-optical look up tables. Feasibility of the proposed architecture is demonstrated by proof-of-concept experiments using both commercially available devices and photonic integrated circuits.