Demonstration of real-time address header decoding for optical data routing at 1536nm.

We have demonstrated real-time decoding of 20-bit biphase-coded address header pulses, using stimulated photon echoes in a phase-matched crossed-beam configuration. This decoding is one of the functions required for coherent transient optical data routing, packet switching, and processing. The active medium used was single-crystal ${\mathrm{Y}}_2{\mathrm{SiO}}_5$ doped with ${\mathrm{Er}}^{3+}$, which provides an operating wavelength of 1536 nm.