Optical Square-Wave Clock Generation Based on an All-Optical Flip-Flop

Journal Article · Tue Mar 09 23:00:00 EST 2010 · IEEE Photonics Technology Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/LPT.2010.2040997· OSTI ID:973201

Kaplan, A M ^[1]; Agrawal, G P; Maywar, D N

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1. Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

We demonstrate optical square-wave clock generation based on an all-optical flip-flop. The bistable output power from a resonant-type semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is switched ON and OFF by modulating its input with its output via cross-gain modulation in a traveling-wave SOA. All active components are driven by dc currents, and the wavelength and clock frequency are selectable. A clock frequency of 3.5 MHz is demonstrated, limited by the time of flight between bulk optical components. Optical square-wave clock signals are promising for applications in photonic integrated circuits and all-optical signal processing.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FC52-08NA28302
• OSTI ID: 973201
• Report Number(s): DOE/NA/28302-934; 2009-84; 1916
• Journal Information: IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Journal Name: IEEE Photonics Technology Letters Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 22
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Clocks
flip-flops
optical bistability
optical signal processing