All-optical bit-pattern matching with photonic switching arrays

Abstract
An all-optical XOR logic circuit is demonstrated using photonic switching arrays that integrate multiple-quantum-well reflection modulators and phototransistors. The switching element performs a Boolean logic A B operation on two binary input light signals that are separately incident on the phototransistor and modulator. The XOR logic function is derived by optical coupling of the switching elements. The device features high contrast that enables high-speed bit pattern matching in parallel.