Optical flip-flop
US8542422B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/70
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical flip-flop comprises first (102) and second (104) flip-flop elements arranged to respectively provide first (output 1) and second (output 3) optical outputs. Each output is in one of a plurality of states, wherein switching the output from a relatively high power state to a relatively low power state has an associated falling edge transition time, and switching the output from a relatively low power state to a relatively high power state has an associated rising edge transition time. The rising edge transition time is greater than the falling edge transition time. The optical flip-flop also comprises a processor (106) arranged to process the first and second outputs to provide an optical flip-flop output, being one of a plurality of state outputs, wherein switching the flip-flop output from a relatively high power state to a relatively low power state has an associated falling edge transition time, and switching the flip-flop output from a relatively low power state to a relatively high power state has an associated rising edge transition time. The processor is arranged to process the first and second outputs such that both the falling edge transition time and the rising …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.