Experimental realization of topologically-protected all-optical logic gates based on silicon photonic crystal slabs

TL;DR

This paper reports the experimental fabrication of seven topologically-protected all-optical logic gates on silicon photonic platforms, demonstrating robustness against disorders and advancing practical optical computing technologies.

Contribution

First experimental realization of multiple topologically-protected all-optical logic gates on silicon photonic platforms.

Findings

Logic gates are robust against disorders.

Seven types of logic gates fabricated and tested.

Potential for integration into optical signal processing.

Abstract

Topological photonics has been developed for more than ten years. It has been proved that the combination of topology and photons is very beneficial to the design of robust optical devices against some disturbances. However, most of the work for robust optical logic devices stays at the theoretical level. There are very few topologically-protected logic devices fabricated in experiments. Here, we report the experimental fabrication of a series of topologically-protected all-optical logic gates. Seven topologically-protected all-optical logic gates (OR, XOR, NOT, XNOR, NAND, NOR, and AND) are fabricated on silicon photonic platforms, which show strong robustness even if some disorders exist. These robust logic devices are potentially applicable in future optical signal processing and computing.