Implementation of optical perfect-shuffle module

Design of an optical interconnect for photonic backplane applications

A compact alignment-tolerant interconnect has been developed for use within a prototype modulator-based free-space photonic backplane. The interconnect design encompasses several unique features. Microlens arrays are used, and several beams share each microlens by clustering the optical input-output in a small field about the optical axis of each lens. For simplifying the layout, the optical input and output of each smart-pixel array are clustered separately, thereby allowing a Fourier plane patterned-mirror array to be used in the beam-combination optics. This allows a suitable balance between high interconnection densities and reasonable optical relay distances between adjacent boards to be achieved. The primary advantages of this scheme are the simplicity of the optical design and its alignability, making it ideally suited for high-density interconnection applications.

Optomechanics for a four-stage hybrid-self-electro-optic-device-based free-space optical backplane

We present the design, fabrication, and testing of optomechanics for a free-space optical backplane mounted in a standard 6U VME backplane chassis. The optomechanics implement an optical interconnect consisting of lenslet-to-lenslet, as well as conventional lens-to-lens, links. Mechanical, optical, electrical, thermal, material, and fabrication constraints are studied. Design trade-offs that affect system scalability and ease of assembly are put forward and analyzed. Novel mounting techniques such as a thermal-loaded interference-fitted lens-mounting technique are presented and discussed. Diagnostic tools are developed to quantify the performance of the optomechanics, and experimental results are given and analyzed.

Free-space optical shuffle implementations by use of birefringence-customized modular optics

A stacked integration technique based on polarization optics is studied for implementing shuffle-based interconnection networks with three-dimensional solid-state modules. A basic building block of the proposed scheme consists of a hole-patterned half-wave retarder for birefringence customizations and a calcite slab for subsequent beam deflections. On the basis of a cascade of such building blocks the submodules of various shuffle-family permutations can be implemented. To minimize channel cross talk, we incorporated a collimating-relaying imaging system. To help design birefringence customization, we developed algebraic formulations of folded shuffle operations using separable shuffles. Proof-of-concept experimental results, as well as system design, fabrication, and integration issues, are discussed.

Perfect-shuffle interconnected bitonic sorter: optoelectronic design

The algorithmic, electronic, and optical aspects of the implementation of a perfect-shuffle interconnected bitonic sorter are analyzed. The performance metrics such as the bit output data rate and the power consumption of the system are quantified. The sorting module is designed to demonstrate the parallel nonlocal interconnection of smart-pixel arrays and the use of optical-image control masks in a functioning information processor.