All-optical Switching of 80 Gb/s Data Packets using a Wavelength Converter and a Monolithically Integrated Optical Flip-flop

We demonstrate that 80 Gb/s data-packets can be all-optically switched into two different ports employing an optical wavelength converter controlled by a monolithically integrated optical flip-flop memory. The optical wavelength converter consists of a semiconductor optical amplifier and an optical filter. The integrated optical flip-flop exhibits single-mode operation, has 35 dB contrast ratio between the states and switches state in about 2 ns. We show that the integrated flip-flop is capable to control an optical wavelength conversion up to 160 Gb/s. The system is capable of routing 80 Gb/s data packets with duration of 35 ns, separated by 15 ns of guard time.