Polarization-encoded all-optical quaternary multiplexer and demultiplexer - A proposal

Multi-valued logic is positioned as a coming generation technology that can execute arithmetic functions faster and with less interconnect than binary logic. Furthermore, nonbinary data storage would require less physical space than binary data. The application of multi-valued digital signals can provide considerable relief of capacity constraints. In electronics many proposals have already been reported. But, here for the first time we propose an all-optical circuit for designing quaternary (four-valued) multiplexer and demultiplexer with the help of some polarization-encoded basic quaternary logic gates (quaternary min and quaternary delta literal). Nonlinear interferometer-based optical switch can take an important role here. The principles and possibilities of design of all-optical quaternary multi-valued multiplexer and demultiplexer circuits are proposed and described.