GaAs Optical Circuits
Abstract
This report presents two new smart pixels for use in optical computing and communications. These devices are Configurable Optical Gates (COGs) that form the Diode Laser Logic (DLL) family and Spontaneous Emission Filtered Laser Amplifiers (SEFLA). DLL is a complete, new logic family comprised of Q-switched lasers and photodetectors. The lasers and detectors are monolithically integrated on multiple quantum well laser heterostructure with semi-insulating substrates. Preliminary results indicate an ON/OFF contrast ratio better than 500:1, gain in excess of 20 and variable 1/0 hysteresis characteristics. As a result, the devices can be cascaded to form more complex optical circuits. In addition to introducing the Diode Laser Logic family, a basic model is presented and the fabrication process is described in detail. The SEFLA combines an optical amplifier with a spontaneous emission filter in order to increase the signal-to noise ratio by actively filtering out the spontaneous emission from the output signal. The filtering function is accomplished by integrating the amplifier with a semiconductor laser in such a way that the signal in the amplifier suppresses the gain in the laser. Unlike conventional optical amplifiers, these can, in principle, be cascaded without significantly decreasing the performance. Configurable Optical Gates (COGs), Diode Laser Logic (DLL), Spontaneous Emission Filtered Laser Amplifiers
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA285859
Entities
People
- J. S. Kimmet
- Michael A. Parker
- P. D. Swanson
- S. I. Libby
Organizations
- Rome Laboratory