OPTICALLY POWERED, INTEGRATED SMART PIXELS FOR OPTICAL INTERCONNECTION NETWORKS

We have demonstrated an optically powered, integrated, InP-based smart pixel for use in optical interconnection networks. Optical powering is provided by integrating the optoelectronic pixel circuitry with an InP-photovoltaic cell which is illuminated with a 0.82-mu-m wavelength laser beam. The multifunctional circuit can be dynamically tuned using an optical control beam to operate variously as a thresholding amplifier, a bistable switch, or a set-reset flip-flop. The circuit has an optoelectronic gain as high as 11, a bandwidth of 40 MHz, and an optical switching energy of 3.8 pJ.