128-bit spectral processing of sub-picosecond optical pulses in a standard SOI CMOS process.

Abstract

Optical short pulse processors enable several systems including optical code division multiple access networks, optical secure communications, and optical pulse shapers. For instance, compact and low cost integrated solutions for optical short pulse en/de-coders with large code length and capable of processing large optical bandwidth may enable realization of Tbps communication networks. Here, we report an integrated 128-bit short pulse processor capable of signal processing on large amount of optical bandwidth, demonstrated ≈ 25 nm, using sub-ps optical short pulse signal. The chip fabricated in a commercial foundry SOI CMOS process and includes more than 500 distinct optical components and over 150,000 distinct electrical components.