| 摘要 |
An optical device for serializing data signals in a plurality of parallel channels is provided, including: (a) a plurality of waveguides adapted to conduct light signals of a predetermined wavelength; and (b) a nonlinear optical element having a refractive index and defining an optical path thereon adapted and configured to conduct a control light pulse along the optical path, wherein a portion of each of the plurality of waveguides is adjacent to or in contact with the nonlinear optical element at a different portion along the optical path; wherein the refractive index along the optical path is substantially altered where the control pulse is located such that the relative phase of the light signals of the predetermined wavelength is altered only where the signal is substantially coincident with the control pulse. The refractive index along the optical path in the nonlinear optical element is such that the light signals of the predetermined frequency in any one of the waveguides substantially cannot propagate past the point where the waveguide is adjacent to or in contact with the nonlinear optical element when the control pulse is not adjacent the point, and can substantially freely propagate through the point when the control pulse is adjacent the point. The device according to the invention further includes a single source of the control pulse, wherein the light path is adapted and configured to conduct the control pulse to all portions of the light path where the waveguides are adjacent to or in contact with the nonlinear optical element, whereby a single control pulse can alter the relative phases of all light signals substantially coincident with the control pulse propagating along the optical path. According to the invention, a method of serializing optical signals includes: (a) providing a plurality of optical signals in their corresponding waveguides; and (b) using a single control pulse without splitting the pulse, modulate the optical signals. The modulating step can include successively modulating the plurality of the optical signals. The successive modulation can be accomplished by propagating the control pulse in a non-linear optical media sequentially to points. The control pulse can be of same rate as the data pulse rate or can be an integer times of the data pulse rate for over-sampling. The timing of the control pulses can also be controlled such that they gate through the data pulses time wise substantially at the mid-point of the data pulses.
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