2D- PhC based all optical AND, OR and EX-OR logic gates with high contrast ratio operating at C band

Abstract

In this article, photonic crystal (PhC) based all-optical logic gates, namely AND, OR and EX-OR have been explored and their characteristics are reported. Two-dimensional (2D) PhC based logic gates are proposed using a hexagonal lattice with T-shaped structure by incorporating line defects. The total size of the device is 84 µm2 and it operates at a wavelength of 1550 nm (C band). The designed optical logic gates are investigated using 2D finite difference time domain simulators by means of the plane wave expansion method. Parameters, such as response time and contrast ratio of the designed all-optic logic gates, are analyzed. The proposed AND, OR and EX-OR logic gates offer a contrast ratio of 14.48 dB, 14.57 dB and 12.9 dB respectively with, in order, response times of 0.159 ps, 0.168 ps and 0.1672 ps. The designed logic gates work in the third optical window as they are operating at the 1550 nm wavelength. To specify the performance of the proposed logic gates, their field distribution has been determined and is exhibited. The designed logic gates are suitable for use in photonic integrated circuits, all optical computing and optical sensing applications.