Abstract

We demonstrate two complementary control methods of nonlinear oscillation modes in a simple electro-optical nonlinear ring resonator for novel optical signal processing. Modes correspond to harmonics with a variety of discrete peak level modulation patterns. Modes with bit capacity up to about 265 bits have been observed to stably oscillate. The first method, seed signal injection method, selectively excites stable nonlinear modes using input digital codes. The second method, chaotic search method, stochastically switches to the modes using features. Modes with up to 21-bit capacity have been switched , demonstrating the feasibility of using this novel dynamical phenomena for optical signal processing.

© 1991 Optical Society of America