Design of an all-optical wavelength router based on spatial solitons

This paper presents the theory and modeling of an all-optical device which realizes self-routing of waves at different wavelengths. The device exploits spatial soliton interaction in a Kerr-like nonlinear medium and can be used in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks with fixed tuned receivers and tunable transmitters. Interaction is governed by four-wave mixing (FWM) that produces the desired effects under suitable excitation conditions. Several numerical examples are given, which highlight the importance of an optimum choice for the spectrum of wavelengths.