Nonlinear Optics for High-Speed Digital Information Processing
D. Cotter,
1*
R. J. Manning,
1
K.
J. Blow,
2
A. D. Ellis,
1
A. E. Kelly,
1
D. Nesset,
1
I. D. Phillips,
1
A. J. Poustie,
1
D. C. Rogers
1
Recent advances in developing nonlinear optical techniques for
processing serial digital information at high speed are reviewed. The
field has been transformed by the advent of semiconductor nonlinear
devices capable of operation at 100 gigabits per second and higher,
well beyond the current speed limits of commercial electronics. These
devices are expected to become important in future high-capacity
communications networks by allowing digital regeneration and other
processing functions to be performed on data signals "on the fly"
in the optical domain.
1 BT Advanced Communications Technology Centre,
Adastral Park, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich IP5 3RE, United Kingdom.
2 Electronic Engineering, Aston University, Aston
Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, United Kingdom.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
david.cotter{at}bt.com
