| 摘要 |
A fully "time tunable" all-optical switch routes/switches digital bits (packets) in an all-optical format for transmission, or for further processing, in an all-optical communication network. The all-optical switch is implemented in either a semiconductor hybrid (100, 200) or in a completely monolithic form (300, 400). Variable time delay elements (112, 202, 204) adjust the time delay of a clocking signal input (118) and a data packet input (110). The clocking signal determines the state of two nonlinear optical elements, such as semiconductor optical amplifiers (106, 108), incorporated in the upper and lower arms (102, 104) of a Mach-Zehnder configuration. An optical coupler (116) is connected to the output of the all-optical switch. The output of data from selected ports of the optical coupler (116) is controlled using the variable time delay elements (112, 202, 204).
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