Optical coherent transient header/data isolation technique

We experimentally demonstrate a novel, all-optical technique that spatially isolates two parts of a temporally encoded optical information stream from each other by means of spatial-spectral holographic technology. A brief reference pulse is applied to an inhomogeneously broadened absorber [Tm3+:YAG (0.1 at. %) at similar to 4.4 K] in the direction opposite that of the information stream, overlapping it on a boundary between the two temporal parts to be isolated (i.e., the header and the data). Another brief reference pulse subsequently applied in the opposite (the same) direction as that of the information stream results in an emitted optical output that mimicks only the part of the information stream that follows (precedes) the first reference pulse in a time-forward (time-reversed) fashion, completely isolated from the other part. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America