Optical Logic Gates Excited by a Gauss Vortex Interference Beam Based on Spatial Self-Phase Modulation in 2D MoS2

Vortex beams with optical orbital angular momentum have broad prospects in future high-speed and large-capacity optical communication. In this investigation of materials science, we found that low-dimensional materials have feasibility and reliability in the development of optical logic gates in all-optical signal processing and computing technology. We found that spatial self-phase modulation patterns through the MoS2 dispersions can be modulated by the initial intensity, phase, and topological charge of a Gauss vortex superposition interference beam. We utilized these three degrees of freedom as the input signals of the optical logic gate, and the intensity of a selected checkpoint on spatial self-phase modulation patterns as the output signal. By setting appropriate thresholds as logic codes 0 and 1, two sets of novel optical logic gates, including AND, OR, and NOT gates, were implemented. These optical logic gates are expected to have great potential in optical logic operations, all-optical networks, and all-optical signal processing.

Automated summary

In this investigation, it was found that low-dimensional materials have feasibility and reliability in the development of optical logic gates. By modulating the spatial self-phase modulation patterns through MoS2 dispersions, using the initial intensity, phase, and topological charge of a Gauss vortex superposition interference beam, we successfully implemented novel optical logic gates, including AND, OR, and NOT gates.