Ultrafast all-optical logic gate using a nonlinear optical loop mirror based multi-periodic transfer function

Abstract

A complete set of all-optical logic gate operations using a nonlinear-optical-loop-mirror-based multi-periodic transfer function is proposed. This scheme can operate all of sixteen two-input logic operations without changing configuration. We experimentally demonstrate AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XOR, and XNOR operations at 40 Gbit/s in a single configuration. We investigate the limitation of processing speed, and numerical simulation will show the feasibility of the processing speed up to 350 Gbit/s.