Time slot tunable all-optical packet data demultiplexer

A method of demultiplexing data through an all-optical demultiplexer mounted in a semiconductor device, the demultiplexer including (i) a fixed time delay element mounted in the semiconductor device, the fixed time delay element having a fixed time delay value, (ii) first and second arms mounted in the semiconductor device, each arm having a nonlinear optical element for processing data, and (iii) at least one variable time delay element mounted in the semiconductor device, the variable time delay element having an adjustable time delay value and being in communication with the second arm, the method comprising:

• (a) receiving a data stream at the first arm via the fixed time delay element and directly at the second arm;
• (b) receiving a clocking signal at an input to the variable time delay element;
• and
• (c) adjusting the time delay value of the variable time delay element depending upon which individual data bits or groups of bits in the data stream are desired to be selected.

A Mach-Zehnder interferometer mounted in a semiconductor device, the interferometer comprising:

• (a) a fixed time delay element mounted in the semiconductor device for receiving a data stream;
• (b) first and second arms mounted in the semiconductor device, the first arm receiving the data stream via the fixed time delay element and the second arm receiving the data stream directly, each arm having a nonlinear optical element for processing the data stream;
• and
• (c) at least one variable time delay element inserted in at least one of the first and second arms, the variable time delay element receiving a clocking signal and having an adjustable time delay value, wherein the time delay value is adjusted depending upon which individual bits or groups of bits in the data stream are desired.