Optical coding scheme for all-optical analog-to-digital conversion using asymmetrical Y-branch waveguide

The novel optical coding scheme for all-optical analog-to-digital conversion has been proposed, in which asymmetrical Y-branch waveguide structures have been introduced to achieve the desired optical power splitting. The optical performance has been simulated by using finite-difference beam propagation method (FD-BPM), which shows that the designed component exhibits good coding performance. Experimentally, the optical coding component has been fabricated and measured. The optical power contrast between bit code 1 and 0 at output port is more than 37 dB, and measured imbalance of output power is less than 1.5 dB for bit code 1.

Research Highlights
► The novel optical coding scheme has been originally proposed.
► The designed and fabricated components exhibit good optical coding performance.
► It has advantages such as real-time coding, high stability and ease for fabrication.