Unforced polarization-based optical implementation of Binary logic

Abstract

We present a new method to optically represent and implement binary logic, and we implement some unforced logic gates. The binary logic zero and one are taken to be an optical beam, or any electromagnetic wave, that is polarized at a selected state and its negation, orthogonal counterpart, or otherwise. In one implementation, a thin-film system is then designed and used so as it can move between 2 positions producing the net desired polarization change of the output. The output consists of a wave that is polarized either in the direction of the original logic 1 or 0 or any other chosen state and its negation, orthogonal counterpart. The system can be cascaded infinitely due to the fact that the output and input are both of the same format and that the logic zero and one are not dependant on the intensity of the input or the output light beam. The unforced gates exclusive OR and exclusive NOR along with a simple inverter are demonstrated in this communication. We present three design architectures, where each has two types of gates. In one type of gates the polarization state magnitude can carry information that can be employed for testability or reverse logic. XOR, XNOR, and inverter gate designs and operation are discussed in detail, and an easy-to-follow step-by-step algorithm is presented. The introduced architectures are easily adapted for simultaneous cascading, multiple input designs, and integrated optical architecture. * Patent Pending.