All-optical AND, NAND, OR, NOR and NOT logic gates using two nested microrings in a racetrack ring resonator

Abstract

Boolean logic gates are essential components for optical computing and communication systems. However, most existing methods for realizing them require complex structures, high power consumption, or multiple devices. Here, we propose a simple and compact system that can realize five Boolean logic gates, including AND, NAND, OR, NOR, and NOT, by applying different polarization modes and tuning intensities to the input signals within a SOI resonator system, formed by two nested micro rings in a racetrack ring resonator (TNMIRTR). A formula was derived for the optical transfer function of the system using the delay-line-signal method and the logic gates were simulated using the variational finite-difference time domain (varFDTD) method. The proposed structure operates by combining amplitude and polarization-conversion. TNMIRTR gate has several advantages, such as its micro-scale size, low cost, and ability to realize multiple logic gates within a single layout.