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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2000

Optical Circuit Switched Protocol

The present invention is a system and method embodied in an optical circuit switched protocol for the transmission of data through a network. The optical circuit switched protocol is an all-optical circuit switched network and includes novel optical switching nodes for transmitting optical data packets within a network. Each optical switching node comprises a detector for receiving the header, header detection logic for translating the header into routing information and eliminating the header, and a controller for receiving the routing information and configuring an all optical path within the node. The all optical path located within the node is solely an optical path without having electronic storage of the data and without having optical delay of the data. Since electronic storage of the header is not necessary and the initial header is eliminated by the first detector of the first switching node. multiple identical headers are sent throughout the network so that subsequent switching nodes can receive and read the header for setting up an optical data path.

Monacos, Steve P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Time-multiplexed, optically-addressed, gigabit optical crossbar switch

A time-multiplexed, optically-addressed, crossbar switch (38) is provided using a two-dimensional, optically-addressed, reflective spatial light modulator (O-SLM) (20). Since the optical addressing is time-multiplexed, only N addressing lines are required for an N.times.N crossbar, rather than the N.sup.2 lines needed in the prior art. This reduction in addressing lines makes possible the development of enormous crossbar switches, such as 100.times.100, for the first time. In addition, since data paths remain entirely in the optics domain, data speeds can reach the multi-gigabit level. In the switch, a row (40) of N inputs (42) at the read wavelength is spread over one axis of the O-SLM. The light is refocused along the other axis to an output array (48) of detectors (50), so that each input has the potential to talk to any one output. The O-SLM is normally off, i.e., non-reflective, so that the output is, in the absence of an input signal, zero. A one-dimensional array (52) of lasers (54) at the write wavelength is imaged onto the O-SLM. Each laser scans across an entire row of the O-SLM; where the laser is on, it turns on a portion of the O-SLM and establishes a connection between a particular input and a particular output. A full row is scanned in a time much shorter than the response time of the O-SLM, so that state of the O-SLM is capacitively stored and dynamically refreshed. The scanning is accomplished by tuning the wavelength of the laser and passing it through a grating, which sweeps the beam in space.

Lang, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Non-mechanical optical path switching and its application to dual beam spectroscopy including gas filter correlation radiometry

A non-mechanical optical switch is developed for alternately switching a monochromatic or quasi-monochromatic light beam along two optical paths. A polarizer polarizes light into a single, e.g., vertical component which is then rapidly modulated into vertical and horizontal components by a polarization modulator. A polarization beam splitter then reflects one of these components along one path and transmits the other along the second path. In the specific application of gas filter correlation radiometry, one path is directed through a vacuum cell and one path is directed through a gas correlation cell containing a desired gas. Reflecting mirrors cause these two paths to intersect at a second polarization beam splitter which reflects one component and transmits the other to recombine them into a polarization modulated beam which can be detected by an appropriate single sensor.

Sachse, Glen W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Fiber-optic crossbar switch

Switch automatically crosspatches optical signals with little loss. Device is furnished with local control and remote control. Local control can be manual from control panel or by computer data bus. In remote control, switch is slaved to remote manual panel computer data bus.

Bell, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Validity Using Pump-Probe Pulses to Determine the Optical Response of Niobate Crystals

A variety of niobate crystals have found their places in nonlinear optical applications as well as in laser devices. In recent years much attention has been paid to study the ultrafast optical response in a variety of photorefractive crystals such as KTa(1-x)Nb(x)O3 and KNbO3 crystals, glasses, semiconductors and polymers for applications in optical switching, information processing, optical computing, and all-optical device systems. Third-order optical nonlinearity is the most important property for realization of all-optical switching. Therefore experiments have been performed on the third order susceptibility using a variety of techniques such as the third-order harmonic generation, EFISH and degenerate four-wave mixing(DFWM). The latter has been conducted with a variety of pump wavelengths and with nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond pulses. Niobate crystals, such as potassium niobate KNbO3, potassium tantalate niobate KTN family (KTa(1-x)Nb(x)O3), strontium barium niobate SBN (Sr(x)Ba(1-x)Nb2O6) and potassium-sodium niobate SBN (KNSBN) are attractive due to their photorefractive properties for application in optical storage and processing. The pulsed probe experiments performed on theses materials have suggested two types of time responses. These responses have been associated with an coherent response due to Chi(sup 3), and a long lived component due to excited state population. Recent study of DFWM on KNbO3 and KTN family reveals that the long lived component of those crystals depends on the crystal orientation. A slowly decaying signal is observable when the grating vector K(sub g) is not perpendicular to the C-axis of those photorefractive crystals', otherwise the optical response signal would be only a narrow coherent peak with FWHM equal to the cross-correlation width of the write beam pulses. Based on this understanding, we study the photodynamical process of a variety of niobate crystals using DFWM in a Kg perpindicular to C geometry with a ps-YAG: Nd laser operating at 532nm. However, the discrepancies in numerical estimations of Chi(sup 3) in these materials and other nonlinear optical media have resulted in a number of discussions. In order to better understand the photodynamical process of niobate crystals after an short pulse excitation we analyze the factors governing the coherent signal and present the DFWM spectra of niobate crystals.

Liu, Huimin↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Dynamically-Reconfigurable Burst-Mode Link Using a Nanosecond Photonic Switch

Fast optical circuit switching has great potential to solve scaling issues with traditional packet-switch based networks and improve bandwidth and power efficiency in datacenter and high-performance computing applications. One difficultly in utilizing a fast optical switch is that the optical signal must be rapidly reacquired after each switching event so as to not significantly impact the overall throughput of the system. In this work we present a system-level integration of a nanosecond-scale $2 \times 2$ silicon photonic switch with a 25-Gbps burst-mode receiver that can lock in 31 ns. A novel FPGA-based control plane was used to generate test data, control the silicon photonic switch and burst-mode receiver, and measure bit errors at 12.5 and 20 Gbps. Error-free links (BER $< 10^{-12}$ ) with system-level reconfiguration times below 60 ns (at 20 Gbps) and 90 ns (at 12.5 Gbps) including bit- and frame-synchronization are demonstrated.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS2005

Optical path switching based differential absorption radiometry for substance detection

An optical path switch divides sample path radiation into a time series of alternating first polarized components and second polarized components. The first polarized components are transmitted along a first optical path and the second polarized components along a second optical path. A first gasless optical filter train filters the first polarized components to isolate at least a first wavelength band thereby generating first filtered radiation. A second gasless optical filter train filters the second polarized components to isolate at least a second wavelength band thereby generating second filtered radiation. A beam combiner combines the first and second filtered radiation to form a combined beam of radiation. A detector is disposed to monitor magnitude of at least a portion of the combined beam alternately at the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band as an indication of the concentration of the substance in the sample path.

Sachse, Glen W.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Optical path switching based differential absorption radiometry for substance detection

An optical path switch divides sample path radiation into a time series of alternating first polarized components and second polarized components. The first polarized components are transmitted along a first optical path and the second polarized components along a second optical path. A first gasless optical filter train filters the first polarized components to isolate at least a first wavelength band thereby generating first filtered radiation. A second gasless optical filter train filters the second polarized components to isolate at least a second wavelength band thereby generating second filtered radiation. A beam combiner combines the first and second filtered radiation to form a combined beam of radiation. A detector is disposed to monitor magnitude of at least a portion of the combined beam alternately at the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band as an indication of the concentration of the substance in the sample path.

Sachse, Glen W.↗
DOE OSTI2020

An attempt to simulate laser-induced all-optical spin switching in a crystalline ferrimagnet

Interest in all-optical spin switching (AOS) is growing rapidly. The recent discovery of AOS in Mn 2 RuGa provides a much needed clean case of crystalline ferrimagnets for theoretical simulations. Here, we attempt to simulate it using the state-of-the-art first-principles method combined with the Heisenberg exchange model. We first compute the spin moments at two inequivalent manganese sites and then feed them into our model Hamiltonian. We employ an ultrafast laser pulse to switch the spins. We find that there is a similar optimal laser field amplitude to switch spins. However, we find that the exchange interaction has a significant effect on the system switchability. Weakening the exchange interaction could make the system unswitchable. This provides a crucial insight into the switching mechanism in ferrimagnets.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

First-principles insight into all-optical spin switching in the half-metallic Heusler ferrimagnet Mn 2 RuGa

All-optical spin switching (AOS) represents a new frontier in magnetic storage technology—spin manipulation without a magnetic field—but its underlying working principle is not well understood. Many AOS ferrimagnets such as GdFeCo are amorphous and renders the high-level first-principles study unfeasible. The crystalline half-metallic Heusler Mn 2 RuGa presents an opportunity. Here we carry out hitherto the comprehensive density functional investigation into the material properties of Mn 2 RuGa, and introduce two concepts—the spin anchor site and the optical active site—as two pillars for AOS in ferrimagnets. In Mn 2 RuGa, Mn(4a) serves as the spin anchor site, whose band is below the Fermi level and has a strong spin moment, while Mn(4c) is the optical active site whose band crosses the Fermi level. Our magneto-optical Kerr spectrum and band structure calculation jointly reveal that the delicate competition between the Ru-4d and Ga-4p states is responsible for the creation of these two sites. Furthermore these two sites found here not only present a unified picture for both Mn 2 RuGa and GdFeCo, but also open the door for future applications. Specifically, we propose a Mn 2 Ru x Ga-based magnetic tunnel junction where a single laser pulse can control magnetoresistance.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1993

Films Containing Optically Nonlinear Diacetylene Monomer

Solid films exhibiting nonlinear optical properties prepared as mixtures of poly(methyl methacrylate) with various amounts of diacetylene monomer called "compound 1" in article, "Synthesizing Diacetylenes With Nonlinear Optical Properties" (MFS-26186). Useful as phase-conjugate mirrors in laser-beam communications and as optical switches in optical computers. This particular diacetylene monomer exhibits strong third-order nonlinear optical properties, both in pure form and in solution.

Paley, Mark S.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Structure and Morphology of Phthalocyanine Films Grown in Electrical Fields by Vapor Deposition

Phthalocyanine is a very stable organic material in the atmosphere and has been used in numerous applications, such as optical switching and optical storage devices. Although this material has already been discovered for several decades and has had extensive studies conducted on it, many properties still need to be better understood, for example, the mechanisms of forming different solid phases and of changing film morphology by external forces. Phthalocyanine has two preferred solid phases (alpha and beta phases) for which the crystal structures, surface morphology and optical properties are different. In order to investigate these phenomena and the relationship among them, phthalocyanine films have been synthesized by vapor deposition on quartz substrates with and without an external electrical field. Some substrates were coated with a very thin gold film for the electrical field. These films have been characterized using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy, and Z-scan technique. The films have excellent chemical and thermal stability. However, the surface of these films grown without the electrical field shows flower-like morphology. When films are deposited under an electrical field (approximately 3000 V/cm), an aligned structure is revealed on the surface. A comparison of the structure, morphology, optical properties, and the growth mechanism for these films with and without an electrical field will be discussed.

Zhu, Shen↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ternary molecular switching in a single-crystal optical actuator with correlated crystal strain

A growing portfolio of single-crystal optical actuators is forging a new class of photonic materials that hold prospects for quantum technologies. Ruthenium-based complexes that exhibit this phenomenon via SO 2 -linkage photoisomerisation are of particular interest since they display multiple metastable states, once induced by green light; yet, complete photoconversion into each SO 2 -isomeric state is rarely achieved. We discover a new complex, trans-[Ru(SO 2 )(NH 3 ) 4 (4-bromopyridine)]tosylate 2 , that produces 100% photoconverted η 1 -OSO isomeric crystal structures at 90 K, which fully transition into η 2 -(OS)O photoisomers upon warming to 100 K, while the dark-state η 1 -SO 2 structure is wholly recovered by heating the crystal to room temperature. Crystal structures and optical-absorption profiles of each state are captured via in-situ light-induced single-crystal X-ray diffraction and optical-absorption spectroscopy. Results show that both photoisomeric species behave as optical switches, but with distinct optical properties. The photoisomerisation process causes thermally-reversible micro- and nanoscopic crystal strain, as characterised by optical microscopy and in-situ light-induced atomic-force microscopy.

actuators↗
NASA NTRS1994

Optically Driven Q-Switches For Lasers

Optically driven Q-switches for pulsed lasers proposed, taking place of acousto-optical, magneto-optical, and electro-optical switches. Optical switching beams of proposed Q-switching most likely generated in pulsed diode lasers or light-emitting diodes, outputs of which are amplitude-modulated easily by direct modulation of relatively small input currents. Energy efficiencies exceed those of electrically driven Q-switches.

Hemmati, Hamid↗
NASA NTRS1966

Optically driven switch turn-off time reduced by opaque coatings

Turn-off response time of an optically driven switch is reduced by placing an opaque covering over the passivating silicon dioxide members. The coating prevents photon absorption so that carriers are not trapped or stored on the base region, thus shortening turn-off time.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2000

Optical Path Switching Based Differential Absorption Radiometry for Substance Detection

A system and method are provided for detecting one or more substances. An optical path switch divides sample path radiation into a time series of alternating first polarized components and second polarized components. The first polarized components are transmitted along a first optical path and the second polarized components along a second optical path. A first gasless optical filter train filters the first polarized components to isolate at least a first wavelength band thereby generating first filtered radiation. A second gasless optical filter train filters the second polarized components to isolate at least a second wavelength band thereby generating second filtered radiation. The first wavelength band and second wavelength band are unique. Further, spectral absorption of a substance of interest is different at the first wavelength band as compared to the second wavelength band. A beam combiner combines the first and second filtered radiation to form a combined beam of radiation. A detector is disposed to monitor magnitude of at least a portion of the combined beam alternately at the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band as an indication of the concentration of the substance in the sample path.

Sachse, Glen W.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Photonic Switching Devices Using Light Bullets

The present invention is directed toward a unique ultra-fast, all-optical switching device or switch made with readily available, relatively inexpensive, highly nonlinear photonic glasses. These photonic glasses have a sufficiently negative group velocity dispersion and high nonlinear index of refraction to support stable light bullets. The light bullets counterpropagate through, and interact within the waveguide to selectively change each others' directions of propagation into predetermined channels. In one embodiment, the switch utilizes a rectangularly planar slab waveguide, and further includes two central channels and a plurality of lateral channels for guiding the light bullets into and out of the waveguide. One advantage presented by the present all-optical switching device lies in its practical use of light bullets, thus preventing the degeneration of the pulses due to dispersion and diffraction at the front and back of the pulses. Another feature of the switching device is the relative insensitivity of the collision process to the time difference in which the counter-propagating pulses enter the waveguide. since. contrary to conventional co-propagating spatial solitons, the relative phase of the colliding pulses does not affect the interaction of these pulses. Yet another feature of the present all-optical switching device is the selection of the light pulse parameters which enables the generation of light bullets in highly nonlinear glasses.

Goorjian, Peter M.↗