Abstract

All-optical pattern recognition has been demonstrated using a variety of techniques.¹⁻¹ For use in an optical network the optical correlator must be robust, uniquely determine the match pattern and operate on a single-shot basis. Segmented semiconductor optical amplifiers (SSOA) have been shown to be a promising candidate for header generation and recognition.^4,5 Unfortunately, the low modulation depths in these experiments required signal averaging to reduce the noise floor below the output signal. In this presentation a SSOA with asymmetric segment lengths is used in conjunction with a pattern repetition rate of 500 MHz to increase the modulation depth beyond previous work. Pump-probe experiments conducted without signal averaging demonstrate an adequate signal-to-noise ratio that makes possible single shot optical correlation at 100 Gbit/s.

© 2002 Optical Society of America