Optical latch based on lasing semiconductor optical amplifiers

An optical clocked latch, comprising:

• a “SET” input and a “RESET” input, the optical clocked latch being configured to achieve at least one stable state in response to the input of predetermined signals to, respectively, the “SET” input and the “RESET” input;
• a first output and a second output;
• first and second lasing semiconductor optical amplifiers (LSOAs), each of the first and second LSOAs having an input configured to receive optical signals and a laser output configured to output a laser output optical signal in response to a received optical signal, the input of the first LSOA being connected to the “SET” input and to the laser output of the second LSOA, the input of the second LSOA being connected to the “RESET” input and to the laser output of the first LSOA, the laser output of the first LSOA being connected to the first output, and the laser output of the second LSOA being connected to the second output;
• and
• a first optical AND gate and a second optical AND gate, each having a corresponding input and a clock input, an output of the first optical AND gate being connected to the “SET” input, and an output of the second optical AND gate being connected to the “RESET” input.

An optical latch, comprising:

• a first vertical lasing semiconductor optical amplifier (VLSOA) having a pump input, an amplifier input, an amplifier output, and a ballast laser output;
• a first combiner connected to a “SET” input and a second input and having an output arranged for communication with the amplifier input of the first VLSOA;
• a first splitter having a “Qbar” output and a second output and having an input arranged for communication with the ballast laser output of the first VLSOA;
• a second VLSOA having a pump input, an amplifier input, an amplifier output, and a ballast laser output;
• a second combiner connected to a “RESET” input and the second output of the first splitter, and having an output arranged for communication with the amplifier input of the second VLSOA;
• and
• a second splitter having a “Q” output and a second output, the second output being in communication with the second input of the first combiner, and the second splitter having an input arranged for communication with the ballast laser output of the second VLSOA.