Theoretical approach of developing a frequency-encoded reversible optical arithmetic and logic unit using semiconductor optical amplifier-based polarization switches

Abstract. The reversible logic gate is a great choice for designing various types of optical processors due to so many advantageous aspects of it; such as low power consumption and the ability of data recovery. At first, the optical circuit of Fredkin gate, a universal reversible logic gate, is designed theoretically using a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based polarization switch, and the performance of the circuit is studied using simulated results. The frequency-encoded binary data are used to execute the operations. Subsequently, we propose the techniques of developing NOT, AND, OR, EX-OR, EX-NOR gates, and full adder circuit using reversible Fredkin gates. Finally, we develop an optical arithmetic logic unit using the proper combination of reversible Fredkin gates. The theory of nonlinear polarization rotation of the probe beam in the presence of the pump beam in SOA is adopted here. The simulated input–output spectra of the optical circuits enhance the admissibility of the proposed concept.