Patent ID: 8488979
Filing Date: 2013-07-16
Classification: H04B,H04J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use with an optical computation system comprising: a phase modulator configured to receive a beam of light and two digital data streams; the phase modulator operable to modulate the phase of the beam of light to at least four phase states, the at least four phase states representing the two digital data streams; a polarization modulator configured to receive two additional digital data streams and the modulated beam of light from the phase modulator; the polarization modulator operable to modulate the polarization of the beam of light to at least four polarization states, the at least four polarization states representing the two additional digital data streams, the polarization modulator operable to modulate the polarization of the beam of light to represent the two additional digital data streams by changing the polarity of the beam of light passing through the modulator in response to the application of electrical signals applied through electrodes of the polarization modulator; and wherein the apparatus is a monolithic photonic integrated circuit and includes no polarization beam splitters.