Proposal for ultrafast all-optical pseudo random binary sequence generator using microring resonator-based switches

Abstract

An all-optical pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) generator is designed and simulated employing micro-ring resonators (MRRs) as the core technology. The PRBS generator consists of serially connected D flip-flops realized with double-bus MRR-based switches that exploit two-photon absorption induced in a pump-probe configuration, and of a MRR-based feedback XOR gate whose design is simpler than previously reported. The expected operation is theoretically validated for 3-bit and 4-bit degree PRBS generators and can be extended to higher PRBS orders with the straightforward addition of extra MRR-based D flip-flops. The MRR critical parameters, including radius, coupling coefficient and detuning, are optimized against performance metrics through numerical simulation at 250 Gb/s. The selection of these parameters according to the derived specifications can render feasible the practical implementation of the scheme and its exploitation for all-optical signal processing purposes.