Optical memory apparatus and method
AssigneeShaowen Song
InventorShaowen Song
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical memory suitable for storing optical signals from a set of predetermined wavelengths is demonstrated. This memory is random access, allowing a controller to read the stored data at any point in time. The memory has a memory input port for receiving a first optical signal, an optical storage element for storing an optical signal and its predetermined wavelength. The optical storage element features a set of optical sources each having a predetermined wavelength and is for providing an intensity and a wavelength of light stored therein. The optical memory also has a memory output port which is optically coupled to the optical storage element for selectively providing an output signal based on the wavelength and intensity of the light within the optical storage element.
Claims16
An optical memory device comprising:
- an input port for receiving a first optical signal including an intensity of light and a wavelength thereof;
- a dispersive element for dispersing the first optical signal received at the input port in dependence upon wavelength;
- a plurality of optical memory cells each comprising a first input port for receiving light dispersed by the dispersive element, a second input port for receiving light with a predetermined wavelength from a light source, an output port, a modulator for receiving a second optical signal and for modulating light emitted by the continuous source in dependence upon the second optical signal;
- a feedback path for receiving light from the output port and for feeding back the received light;
- and a coupler for coupling the light within the feedback path and the light received at the first input port to the modulator as the second optical signal to the modulator,
- wherein two optical memory cells of the plurality of optical memory cells are optically coupled to the wavelength dispersive element such that each cell is for acting upon light within different known ranges of wavelengths.
An optical memory device comprising:
- an input port for receiving an optical modulating signal;
- a plurality of continuous light sources for providing a light signal having a predetermined wavelength;
- a coupler for receiving light signals from some of the continuous light sources;
- a plurality of waveguide junctions each optically coupled between a continuous light source for receiving light from said optical source and a waveguide junction from the plurality of waveguide junctions, the waveguide junctions for selectably decoupling each continuous light source from the coupler;
- and,
- a modulator for receiving a light signal from the coupler and modulating the light signal based upon the intensity of the optical modulating signal.
A method of optically storing data comprising the steps of:
- receiving a first optical signal;
- dispersing the first optical signal in dependence upon wavelength;
- receiving a second optical signal;
- modulating the dispersed light in dependence upon the second optical signal;
- and,
- feeding back the modulated, dispersed light into the second optical signal.
An optical memory device comprising:
- an input port for receiving a first optical signal including an intensity of light and a wavelength thereof;
- an optical memory cell comprising a first input port for receiving light a second input port for receiving light with a predetermined wavelength from a light source, an output port, a modulator for receiving a second optical signal and for modulating light emitted by the continuous source in dependence upon the second optical signal;
- a feedback path for receiving light from the output port and for feeding back the received light;
- and a coupler for coupling the light within the feedback path and the light received at the first input port to the modulator as the second optical signal to the modulator, wherein the coupler comprises a switch for switchably coupling at least one of the light signals within the feedback path and the light received at the first input port to the modulator as the second optical signal to the modulator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.