Realization of an ultrafast all-optical Toffoli logic gate based on the phase relation between two second order nonlinear optical signals

Abstract

A Toffoli logic gate (CCNOT gate) is a universal reversible logic gate from which all other reversible gates can be constructed. It has a three-bit input and output. The goal of our work was to realize a Toffoli gate where all inputs and outputs are realized optically, which allows for ultrafast switching processes. We demonstrate experimentally that a Toffoli logic gate can be created based on nonlinear multi-wave interactions of light with matter. Using femtosecond laser pulses, the all-optical Toffoli gate is based on the coherence of the optical signals produced via the nonlinear optical processes. Sum frequency (SF) and second harmonic (SH) generations are combined in such a way so as to yield the complete truth table of the universal reversible logic gate.