Simultaneous all-optical logical operations using the third order nonlinear optical effect and a single waveguide

Claim 1

Apparatus for performing an optical AND operation on two data carrying laser beams comprising: (a) first means for generating a pump laser beam pulse having a predetermined first spatial profile, first frequency, first temporal modulation and first intensity; (b) first modulating means for modulating said first spatial profile of said pump laser beam with second modulation representative of first data; (c) optical waveguide means comprising a third order optically nonlinear material having a predetermined bandwidth and a predetermined Stokes frequency shift; (d) first optical directing means for directing said first data encoded pump laser beam to and through said optical waveguide; (e) second means for generating a Stokes laser beam pulse having a second spatial profile, a second frequency at least substantially equal to said pump laser beam frequency less said Stokes frequency shift, second temporal modulation at least substantially equal to said first temporal modulation of said pump laser beam, and a second intensity; (f) second modulating means for modulating the said second spatial profile of said Stokes laser beam with third modulation representative of second data; (g) second optical directing means for directing said second data encoded Stokes laser beam to and through said waveguide substantially simultaneously with and in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of said first data encoded pump laser beam and said second data encoded Stokes laser beam travel substantially simultaneously through said waveguide in opposite directions; (h) laser beam utilization means; and (i) third optical directing means for directing said Stokes laser beam exiting from said waveguide to said utilization means.