Multiple-channel all-optical TDM-WDM converter and multiple-channel all-optical TDM demultiplexer

Abstract

A multiple-channel all-optical TDM-WDM converter and multiple-channel all-optical TDM demultiplexer which is able to simultaneously and spatially separate optical signal pulse trains of each channel from a TDM optical signal pulse train is structured without using a multistage-structure constitution. A control optical source 10 generates a control optical pulse train containing N optical frequencies, which is synchronous with optical signal pulse trains of N channels which are to be divided from a TDM optical signal pulse train wherein optical signal pulse trains of N channels have been multiplexed in time series. An optical wavelength multiplexer 11 combines the time-division-multiplexed optical signal pulse train and the control optical pulse train. The light output from an optical wavelength multiplexer 11 is input to a nonlinear material 12, which induces a four-wave mixing effect between the control optical pulse stream having the N optical frequencies and optical signal pulse trains of N channels, and outputs a frequency-converted optical pulse train which is the combination of N optical pulse trains having different optical frequencies. An optical wavelength demultiplexer 13 spatially divides the N types of optical pulse trains according to each optical frequency from the frequency-converted optical pulse train.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.