Silicon nanowire based exclusive-OR gate using nonlinear optics for 40Gb/s DPSK signals

Abstract

We demonstrate an all-optical XOR logic function for 40Gb/s differential phase-shift keyed (DPSK) data signals in the C-band, based on four-wave mixing (FWM) in a silicon nanowire. Error-free operation with a system penalty of ~ 3.0dB and ~ 4.3dB at 10-9 BER is achieved.