All-optical Circuits Research Articles

Molecular Orientation-Dependent Photonic Polarization Engineering in Organic Single-Crystal-Filled Microcavities.

Designing the polarization degree of freedom of light is crucial in many fields and has widespread application in, for example, all-optical circuits. In this work, we find that in an organic microcavity filled with anisotropic single crystals the cavity modes can be modulated to be elliptically polarized, i.e., partially circularly polarized and partially linearly polarized. The circular polarization component originates from the Rashba-Dresselhaus spin splitting, while the linear polarization component is due to the dislocation of linearly polarized modes. The dislocation of the linear polarizations is ascribed to the orientation of individual molecules and the molecular packing arrangement; hence, the linear polarizations can be controlled by properly structuring the molecular distributions. Our results pave the way for enriching and engineering the polarization properties of individual optical cavity modes in organic microstructures, which may favor the development of polarized lasers with various polarizations.

All-in-one, all-optical logic gates using liquid metal plasmon nonlinearity

Electronic processors are reaching the physical speed ceiling that heralds the era of optical processors. Multifunctional all-optical logic gates (AOLGs) of massively parallel processing are of great importance for large-scale integrated optical processors with speed far in excess of electronics, while are rather challenging due to limited operation bandwidth and multifunctional integration complexity. Here we for the first time experimentally demonstrate a reconfigurable all-in-one broadband AOLG that achieves nine fundamental Boolean logics in a single configuration, enabled by ultrabroadband (400–4000 nm) plasmon-enhanced thermo-optical nonlinearity (TONL) of liquid-metal Galinstan nanodroplet assemblies (GNAs). Due to the unique heterogeneity (broad-range geometry sizes, morphology, assembly profiles), the prepared GNAs exhibit broadband plasmonic opto-thermal effects (hybridization, local heating, energy transfer, etc.), resulting in a huge nonlinear refractive index under the order of 10−4−10−5 within visual-infrared range. Furthermore, a generalized control-signal light route is proposed for the dynamic TONL modulation of reversible spatial-phase shift, based on which nine logic functions are reconfigurable in one single AOLG configuration. Our work will provide a powerful strategy on large-bandwidth all-optical circuits for high-density data processing in the future.

Compact all-optical half adder based on topology optimization

We proposed an inverse-designed compact half adder on a silicon-on-insulator platform with a footprint of 2µm×2µm. The optical power of SUM and CARRY is controlled by different input combinations, according to the truth table of a half adder. Topology optimization is applied to cope with multiple objective functions in such a combinational logic circuit. The transmittance at 1550 nm for CARRY with 11 input is 170.2%, with extinction ratios (ERs) of 27.1 and 5.8 dB for SUM and CARRY, respectively. The SUM and CARRY outputs have ERs over 22.0 dB and 5.7 dB from 1515 nm to 1600 nm. Phase condition and morphology analysis show that the device has high tolerance on phase fluctuation and fabrication. The proposed device with compact footprint, low insertion loss, and large bandwidth presents a novel, to the best of our knowledge, approach to achieve all-optical combinational logic circuits with inverse design.

All-optical simultaneous OR and NAND gates using photonic crystal ring resonator and Kerr effect

All-optical simultaneous OR and NAND gates design is proposed using a simple nonlinear photonic crystal ring resonator based on the chalcogenide glass (Ag20As32Se48) material which is one of the promising materials for all-optical devices. The structure consists of an octagonal ring resonator between two waveguides, which uses the switching threshold mechanism based on the Kerr effect to perform two simultaneous logic gates functions. The plane wave expansion (PWE) method is used to obtain the band diagram in the proposed structure, and the two-dimensional finite difference time domain (2D-FDTD) method is used in the simulation to evaluate the performance of the proposed design. The resonance wavelength is 1551.3 nm, with a high transmission and coupling efficiency of about 100%. The proposed optical OR and NAND logic gates have high contrast ratios of 21.15 dB and 28.19 dB, respectively, with a quality factor of 596.65. The operating power intensity of the proposed structure is 1 kW μm−2, and the threshold power intensity is obtained at 2.8 kW μm−2. The proposed gates provide transmitted power of not less than 0.5. The size of the structure is 20.5 μm × 18.17 μm. The proposed structure is compact, works on low operational power intensity, and has the ability for dense integration. The simplicity and small size of the structure make it easy to fabricate for future integration in all-optical circuits.

Design and analysis of SOA-MZI based optical digital circuits for high speed optical networks

This paper explores using Semiconductor Optical Amplifier assisted Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (SOA-MZI) configuration for designing various all-optical digital circuits. A specific focus on the design and analysis of all-optical inverters, decimal-to-binary code converters, and hexa decimal-to-binary code converters operating at a speed of 10 Gbps is given. These circuits employ OR, XOR, and NOR gates. The SOA-MZI configuration capitalizes on the nonlinear properties of the SOA to achieve all-optical logic functions. Phase modulation can be transformed into intensity modulation by incorporating the SOA within an interferometer setup and using 3-dB couplers. The Cross-Phase Modulation (XPM) technique, which offers superior performance compared to other types of SOA non-linearity, is employed to make the incoming signal insensitive to polarization. The system was analyzed using an optisystem. The performance achieved was 0.0109 in terms of Eye height, 3.45 e−70 in terms of Bit Error Rate (BER), and 17.66 in terms of Q-factor.

High Transmission All-Optical Combinational Logic Circuits Based on a Nanoring Multi-Structure at 1.31 µm.

The main purpose of this study is to design combinational logic gates based on a novel configuration of insulator-metal-insulator (IMI) nanoring plasmonic waveguides. Plasmonic logic gates are half adder, full adder, half subtractor, full subtractor, and one-bit comparator and are realized in one structure. The performance of the logic circuits is based on constructive and destructive interferences between the input and control signals. The transmission threshold value is assumed to be 0.35 at the resonance wavelength of 1.310 μm. The transmission spectrum, contrast loss (CL), insertion loss (IL), modulation depth (MD), and contrast ratio (CR) are calculated in order to evaluate the structure's performance. The maximum transmission of the proposed structure is 232% for full a adder logic gate, and MD exceeds 90% in all plasmonic combinational logic circuits. The suggested design plays a key role in the photonic circuits and nanocircuits for all-optical systems and optical communication systems. The combinational logic gates are analyzed and simulated using the finite element method (FEM).

Design and full-wave analysis of a dual-purpose compact all-optical integrated circuit for ultra-fast signal processing

Design and full-wave analysis of a dual-purpose compact all-optical integrated circuit for ultra-fast signal processing

Tailoring nanowire lasing modes via coupling to metal gratings

Tailoring the emission of plasmonic nanowire-based lasers represents one of the major challenges in the field of nanoplasmonics, given the envisaged integration of such devices into on-chip all-optical circuits. In this study, we proposed a mode selection scheme based on distributed feedback, achieved via the external coupling of single zinc oxide nanowires to an aluminum grating, which enabled a quasi-single mode lasing action. The nano-manipulation of a single nanowire allowed for a reliable comparison of lasing emission characteristics in both planar (i.e., a nanowire on the metallic substrate) and on-grating configurations. We found that, by varying the orientation of the nanowire on the grating, only when the nano-cavity was perpendicular to the ridge direction, an additional peak emerged in the emission spectrum on the low-energy side of the gain envelope. As a consequence of the fulfillment of the Bragg condition, such a peak was attributed to a hybrid mode dominating the mode competition. Simulation results showed that the hybrid mode could be efficiently waveguided along the nanowire cavity and supported by localized plasmon polaritons building up at the raised features (“fences”) on top of metal grating ridges. Moreover, the hybrid mode was found to experience an extra reflectance of nearly 50% across the grating periods in addition to that provided by nanowire end facets.

All-Optical Phase Memory Circuit Based on Two Coupled Lasers and External Optical Injection

We propose a volatile static all-optical memory capable of storing phase information of a slowly-varying electric field. The scheme and its realization (a memory circuit) are based on two mutually coupled lasers subject to external optical injection. The proposed circuit has a single optical input for write and hold operations and two opposite-sign outputs for reading the memory. The proposed circuit operates with a single wavelength of light, a single direction of propagation, and without a need to switch the state of polarization. We prove mathematically that the proposed arrangement has equilibrium points that may discreetly quantify and store the phase in a bistable manner. The circuit is studied numerically for solid-state and semiconductor lasers with zero and non-zero linewidth enhancement factors, respectively. Simulations based on a rate equation system confirm the essential findings. Using typical parameters of a semiconductor laser and optimizing for a possibly wide range of operation, the write-read operations were simulated using PRBS-9 at the rate of 1 Gb/s with negligible errors. The proposed circuit will enable integrated memory implementations for future all-optical signal processing and computing systems.

All-optical controlled-NOT logic gate achieving directional asymmetric transmission based on metasurface doublet

Optical logic gates play important roles in all-optical logic circuits, which lie at the heart of the next-generation optical computing technology. However, the intrinsic contradiction between compactness and robustness hinders the development in this field. Here, we propose a simple design principle that can possess multiple-input-output states according to the incident circular polarization and direction based on the metasurface doublet, which enables controlled-NOT logic gates in infrared region. Therefore, the directional asymmetric electromagnetic transmission can be achieved. As a proof of concept, a spin-dependent Janus metasurface is designed and experimentally verified that four distinct images corresponding to four input states can be captured in the far-field. In addition, since the design method is derived from geometric optics, it can be easily applied to other spectra. We believe that the proposed metasurface doublet may empower many potential applications in chiral imaging, chiroptical spectroscopy and optical computing.

Discovery of Type II Interlayer Trions.

In terms of interlayer trions, electronic excitations in van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) can be classified into Type I (i.e., two identical charges in the same layer) and Type II (i.e., two identical charges in the different layers). Type I interlayer trions are investigated theoretically and experimentally. By contrast, Type II interlayer trions remain elusive in vdWHs, due to inadequate free charges, unsuitable band alignment, reduced Coulomb interactions, poor interface quality, etc. Here, the first observation of Type II interlayer trions is reported by exploring band alignments and choosing an atomically thin organic-inorganic system-monolayer WSe2 /bilayer pentacene heterostructure (1L+2L HS). Both positive and negative Type II interlayer trions are electrically tuned and observed via PL spectroscopy. In particular, Type II interlayer trions exhibit in-plane anisotropic emission, possibly caused by their unique spatial structure and anisotropic charge interactions, which is highly correlated with the transition dipole moment of pentacene. The results pave the way to develop excitonic devices and all-optical circuits using atomically thin organic-inorganic bilayers.

Revolution of optical computing logic gates based on its applications: an extensive survey

Nowadays, communication has grown into a key area with a rapidly growing user community. The existing broadband users are overcrowded, and its faster speed has now become an essential parameter to meet the consumer’s expectations in the growing technology. As a result of our growth in computer technologies, high-speed processors are necessary, which provide simultaneous data computing with lower costs and a performance of more than 10,000 times quicker than electrical computers. Optics has become a more feasible alternative to electronics because of its greater speed. In this study, various methods of photonic crystals (PhCs) have been thoroughly examined, with essential properties and their benefits explained over previously identified methods (semiconductor optical amplifier and nonlinear waveguides) utilized to construct all-optical logic circuits. Particularly, evaluated a number of articles that covered topics including self-collimation effects, PhC waveguide intersection, and multi-mode interference with nonlinear effects. The merits and demerits of each technology are analyzed. Finally, concluded the major difficulties and the potential usage of every method. PhCs are used in logic circuits and devices for high data transmission. The performances of different types of logic gates based on PhC are studied.

Photonic Crystal Based All-Optical Switch Using a Ring Resonator and Kerr Effect

ABSTRACT This paper proposes an all-optical switch using Kerr-type nonlinearity based on a photonic crystal ring resonator (PCRR). For the first time, the bar state and cross-state operation with 2 × 2 elements of an optical switch is implemented using a nonlinear ring resonator. Chalcogenide glass rods are used in the air background to simulate the proposed structure. The operating wavelength for this structure is calculated to be 1551 nm using the finite element method. The functional parameters such as the extinction ratio, response time, bit rate, crosstalk, and insertion loss values are studied using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The presented structure design has a fast data rate of 0.46 Tbps, a low crosstalk value of −17.14 dB, and a fast response time of 2.16 ps. The proposed optical switch has a total footprint of about 398.56 μm2. The device’s performance makes it suitable for switching applications and integration in all-optical circuits.

Controllable spin-dynamic scenarios on zigzag carbon cross structure

We investigate the spin-dynamic properties of two carbon cross structures assembled from two carbon chains with two Ni atoms attached. Both the global spin transfer through the long-distance carbon cross and the local spin flip on the single Ni atom are achieved within the subpicosecond regime, demonstrating the feasibility of individual intrasite and intersite spin manipulation. We investigate the dependence of the two different types of spin-dynamics processes on an external magnetic field, and we compare them by analyzing the spin features of the populated intermediate states. The comparison explains well the addressability of the local spin flip and the conservation of the global spin transfer. In addition, by applying two identical laser pulses, we successfully enhance the sensitivity of the local spin flip with respect to the external magnetic field, which yields a higher spatial resolution of the individual spin addressing. The present investigation is a significant step towards integrated all-optical logic circuits based on nano-spintronics.

Excitation of surface plasmon polaritons by diffraction-free and vector beams.

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are traditionally excited by plane waves within the Rayleigh range of a focused transverse-magnetic (TM) Gaussian beam. Here we investigate and confirm the coupling between SPPs and two-dimensional Gaussian and Bessel-Gauss wave packets, as well as one-dimensional light sheets and space-time wave packets. We encode the incoming wavefronts with spatially varying states of polarization; then we couple the respective TM components of radial and azimuthal vector beam profiles to confirm polarization-correlation and spatial-mode selectivity. Our results do not require material optimization or multi-dimensional confinement via periodically corrugated metal surfaces to achieve coupling at a greater extent, hereby outlining a pivotal, yet commonly overlooked, path towards the development of long-range biosensors and all-optical integrated plasmonic circuits.

All-optical inter-layers functional connectivity investigation in the mouse retina

SummaryWe developed a multi-unit microscope for all-optical inter-layers circuits interrogation. The system performs two-photon (2P) functional imaging and 2P multiplexed holographic optogenetics at axially distinct planes. We demonstrated the capability of the system to map, in the mouse retina, the functional connectivity between rod bipolar cells (RBCs) and ganglion cells (GCs) by activating single or defined groups of RBCs while recording the evoked response in the GC layer with cell-type specificity and single-cell resolution. We then used a logistic model to probe the functional connectivity between cell types by deriving the “cellular receptive field” describing how RBCs impact each GC type. With the capability to simultaneously image and control neuronal activity at axially distinct planes, the system enables a precise interrogation of multi-layered circuits. Understanding this information transfer is a promising avenue to dissect complex neural circuits and understand the neural basis of computations.

A compact realization of Feynman Reversible and NOR logic gate using Plasmonic waveguide based MZI for all-optical signal processing

The reversible logic function becomes a potential solution in the regime of optical switching and computing. The one-to-one mapping between inputs and outputs in a reversible gate is a key advantage, that prevents information loss. The reversible logic gates have shown potential applications in low-power complementary metal-oxide semiconductors and in quantum computing. Therefore, to utilize these benefits of reversible functions, we have proposed an all-optical compact circuit to realize the functioning of Feynman reversible and NOR logic gates. The proposed all-optical circuit is modeled within the footprints of 87μm by using a plasmonic metal–insulator–metal (MIM) waveguide-based Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI). The numerical investigation of the MZI is done by evaluating the power imbalance and extinction ratio. The results show that the optical signal propagating in a single MZI with an extinction ratio of 15.1 dB for the power difference of 0.001 W/μm (∼0.1 dB) and 0.0012 W/μm (∼0.79 dB) for logic ‘0’ and logic ‘1’, respectively. The logic ‘0’ and ‘1’ is represented by low (0.028 W/μm) and high (0.038 W/μm) power signals. At logic ‘0’ the optical signal propagates in linear arms of MZI with ‘π’ phase variation, which causes constructive interference (CI) and thrives the signal at the cross-port. For logic ‘1’ the optical signal experiences ‘0’ phase variation in linear arms of MZI, and due to destructive interference reaches its through-port. The investigated results of the proposed circuit are attained by using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method.

Design and numerical analysis of multifunctional photonic crystal logic gates

All-optical multifunctional structures are at the beginning of the growth and development path to achieve an all-optical integrated circuit (AOIC). The main challenge of designing multifunctional all-optical nanostructures is to maintain the overall function of the structure compared to single-function nanostructures. Simultaneous application of logic gates of AND, XOR, half-adder, 1-bit comparator, reversible Feynman logic gate along with desirable and suitable function are some of the proposed nanostructure properties. The propagation modes in the structure are extracted by the plane wave expansion (PWE) method. The overall operation of the nanostructure, simulation, and numerical analysis of the proposed nanostructure for the submitted applications are performed using the numerical method finite-difference time-domain (FDTD). In the proposed multifunctional nanostructure, ultra-fast and ultra-compact logic gates with a maximum time delay of approximately 280 fs, an area of 104 μm2, and a bit rate of 3.57 Tb/s are provided. In addition to the proposed ultra-compact logic gate, another advantage of the proposed multifunctional nanostructure is achieving the appropriate contrast ratio.

Photonic crystal integrated logic gates and circuits.

This paper presents and demonstrates the three logic processing levels based on complementary photonic crystal logic devices through photonic integrated circuit modeling. We accomplished a set of logic circuits including AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR, FAN-OUT, HALF ADDER, and FULL ADDER based on photonic crystal slab platforms. Furthermore, we achieved efficient all-optical logic circuits with contrast ratios as high as 5.5 dB, demonstrated in our simulation results, guaranteeing well-defined output power values for logic representations; a clock-rate up to 2 GHz; and an operating wavelength at λ ≈ 1550 nm. Thus, we can now switch up for high computing abstraction levels to build photonic integrated circuits rather than isolated gates or devices.

Design and analysis of all optical latch circuit using RSOA

Reflective SOA (RSOA) is an optical switch. Using this switch, we have designed and analyzed an all-optical latch circuit. We used cross gain modulation (XGM) and simulated verification by Matlab. All-optical Latch circuit consists of two RSOA based switches. It has two inputs and two outputs. The simulated output of the latch circuit shows the possibility of various types of applications in optical processing. The operating speed of the all-optical latch circuit is 200 Gbps. We found the values of ER, CR and Q are 54.17 dB, 56.66 dB and 57.76 dB of latch circuit.