173-ps wavelength switching of four WDM channels using an OTDM channel selector

Abstract

Ultrafast wavelength switching is demonstrated using an optical time division multiplexing (OTDM) channel selector based on the parallel optical delay line. The OTDM channel selector, capable of rapidly placing 12.5-GHz pulses in any of four timeslot channels in an 80-ps bit period, injects optical pulses into the control port of a TOAD. Four pulses of different wavelengths generated from a 12.5-GHz supercontinuum source are time-interleaved and enter the input port of the terahertz optical asymmetric demultiplexer (TOAD). The resulting system is capable of switching the output wavelengths at the output of the TOAD with an average latency time of 173 ps, and a maximum latency time of 320 ps.