Objective
In the past decade we have witnessed a remarkable advance in all-optical signal processing techniques and rapid maturity in the fabrication of compact all-optical switches. All-optical computing has been the holy grail of researchers since the invention of the laser. Even though general purpose all-optical processing is still a long way off, there are specialized applications in high data rate telecommunications and networking, where ultra high speed, low complexity all-optical circuits are ideally suited. The next key step in all-optical technology evolution is to develop the means to manufacture compact and low cost arrays of all-optical gates, that is, to develop the capability for the VLSI of all-optical gates. MUFINS combines the efforts of 8 European research groups as the first step in this direction. MUFINS aims to demonstrate 2 and 4 element monolithically integrated arrays of packaged and pigtailed InGaAsP, 2x2 all-optical switches on single InP substrates for operation at 10 and 40Gb/s.
Two integration techniques will be used. The first will use active/passive integration based on regrowth and the second will use the Active Vertical Coupling technique to produce arrays of all-optical switches. The performance of the discrete 2 and 4 element arrays will be evaluated in multi-gate all-optical circuits such as, Clock and Data Recovery, single and 4-wavelength Burst Mode Receiver, Full-Adder, a 4x4 all-optical Switching Matrix, etc. Finally MUFINS will demonstrate a 3 gate, 40Gb/s all-optical Burst Mode Receiver hybridly integrated on a PLC sub-mount. The choice of the evaluation experiments was such as to show that generic, multi-element arrays of integrated all-optical gates can find application in different domains. By drawing through different application pools, MUFINS intends to assure that the developed multi-gate elements can have an adequate market to support them as products after the end of the project.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsignal processing
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunications
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
STREP - Specific Targeted Research ProjectCoordinator
26500 RIO PATRAS
Greece