Computer Simulations of Fully Cascadable Picosecond All-Optical Logic Using Nonlinear Semiconductor Etalons

A paired semiconductor etalon scheme for all-optical decision making is proposed, and the results of computer simulations of the device concept are presented. in the envisioned architecture, a two-wavelength logic-gate etalon is operated in series with an “upconverter” etalon to allow cascadable operation on a picosecond time-scale. The paired device achieves a fanout of at least two, as well as good overall contrast, requiring a total input energy of about 75 pJ to perform a single logic operation. The energy requirement might be reduced through the use of multiple-quantum-well materials. The computer simulations of the device behavior are based on a realistic model for the carrier-density-dependent optical nonlinearities of bulk GaAs.