All-optical Logic Gates Based On Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

All-optical signal processing will play a great role in future high-speed optical networks and optical computing. The optical logic gates, as an important part of optical signal processing, have received much attention in recent years, and also are the crucial implements in packet switching system, optical computing and optical transmission in future. Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) have many advantages such as small size, wide bandwidth and low response time, which make them a strong candidate to realize all-optical logic gates. Supported by Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No. 04-0715), theoretical and experimental research on all-optical logic gates based on semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) are presented in this thesis. The main contents are listed as follows:(1) The research background, applications and achievements of all-optical logic gates are clarified.(2) Based on the carrier density rate equation, optical power propagation equation and sectional model of SOA, the static and dynamic characteristics of SOA are theoretically simulated.(3) A scheme for all-optical NOR gate based on SOA is investigated. The theoretical result for all-optical NOR gate at 10Gb/s is obtained. Some key factors in output performance are discussed. Experimental result for all-optical NOR gate at 10Gb/s is also obtained. There is a good agreement between theoretical and experimental results.(4) A scheme for all-optical NAND gate based on single-port-coupled SOAs is investigated. The working process of all-optical logic NAND gate is simulated. The all-optical logic NAND gate at 10 Gb/s is demonstrated experimentally. Theoretical calculation results are in agreement with the experimental results.