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Optical Engineering

Multiple-Valued Logic For Optoelectronics

George Abraham

Published Jan 1, 1986• 10 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Recent advances in optical bistability in a variety of materials and devices offer the potential for high speed operation over extended ranges of wavelength and temperature. The advantages of optoelec-tronic devices and multiple-valued logic are combined in various multistable solid-state device techniques, of which negative resistance multistability is most compatible with utilization of bistable optoelec-tronic devices. Additional stable states result from negative resistance interactions and facilitate implementation of variable radix analog and digital applications. Needed characteristics of bistable optical devices are outlined for compatibility with multiple-valued logic implementation. Multiple-valued optical logic offers synergistic potential for improved performance.

DOI
10.1117/12.7973774

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Recent advances in optical bistability in a variety of materials and devices offer the potential for high speed operation over extended ranges of wavelength and temperature. The advantages of optoelec-tronic devices and multiple-valued logic are combined in various multistable solid-state device techniques, of which negative resistance multistability is most compatible with utilization of bistable optoelec-tronic devices. Additional stable states result from negative resistance interactions and facilitate implementation of variable radix analog and digital applications. Needed characteristics of bistable optical devices are outlined for compatibility with multiple-valued logic implementation. Multiple-valued optical logic offers synergistic potential for improved performance.
It has recently become clear that OB in semiconductor laser amplifiers has many potential advantages for applications in optical logic and signal processing. Foremost among these advantages may be listed (i) ready availability (compared with other bistable devices [1]), (ii) wavelength compatibility with optical communications systems, (iii) inherent optical gain (for serial processing), and (iv) a combination of microwatt switching powers and nanosecond switching times leading to femtoule optical switching energies [2,3]. In support of item (ii) on this list, it is worth noting that amplifier OB has been reported at 0.8 μm [4], 1.3 μm [5], and 1.5 μm [6], all of which are wavelengths employed for optical communications systems.
We present a review of optical bistability in active and passive optoelectronic devices, with particular reference to switching speeds and powers. The large resonant nonlinearities available near the bandgaps of semiconductors may be utilized to develop bistable devices operating at low powers and high speeds. Passive devices are driven by external optical sources and include nonlinear etalons, nonlinear interfaces, self-focusing configurations and electro-optic modulators with electrical feedback. Active devices include injection lasers and superluminescent amplifiers. Potential advantages of active devices include speed, gain, sensitivity and the ability to drive other devices, but complexity and high power dissipation may limit their use in applications requiring high density.
The nonlinear phenomenon known as optical bistability, which enables optical systems to maintain two stable output states for a single input, is thoroughly examined in this review article. Through a detailed analysis of two important devices—the Simple Fiber Ring (SFR) resonator and the Nonlinear Optical Loop Mirror (NOLM)—it investigates the basic concepts of optical bistability, namely nonlinearity and feedback. Numerical simulations demonstrating dynamic dynamics and stability conditions bolster a strong theoretical framework. Recent advancements in bistable optical technologies, including developments in epsilon-near-zero materials, silicon photonics, hybrid plasmonic structures, neuromorphic photonics, and AI-driven photonic processors are also discussed. Furthermore, this review highlights emerging applications of optical bistability in optical logic circuits, high-speed communication, and quantum information processing. This review work is a useful tool for researchers and engineers creating next-generation optical systems because it connects theoretical insights with cutting-edge technological developments.