All-optical digital processing through Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers: State of the art and perspectives

In order to meet the ever-increasing demand of data communication for future optical networks and optical computing, high-speed photonic digital processing is required. Elementary blocks, performing basic operations are the building elements for more complex subsystems implementing all-optical digital processing. These functions include elementary optical logic gates as well as complex photonic combinatorial networks. Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers are here considered as a possible technological choice including a review of best results, main perspectives and limitations.