Patent ID: 6788839
Filing Date: 2004-09-07
Classification: G02B,G02F,H04Q

Abstract:
An all-optical switch mounted in a semiconductor device, the switch comprising:(a) a first input for receiving a data stream; (b) a second input for receiving a clocking signal; (c) first and second nonlinear optical elements mounted in the semiconductor device and being in communication with the first input, the nonlinear optical elements for processing the data stream in response to the clocking signal; (d) a first variable time delay element mounted in the semiconductor device for receiving the clocking signal, the first time delay element having a first adjustable time delay value and being in communication with the second input and the second nonlinear optical element; and (e) an optical coupler having plural outputs, the optical coupler being in communication with the first and second nonlinear elements, wherein the first adjustable time delay value of the first adjustable time delay element determines the output of the optical coupler that individual data bits or groups of data bits in the data stream are desired to be routed to.