All-optical switching and logic gating with spatial solitons in liquid crystals

Abstract

Using mW light beams to generate spatial solitons in nematic liquid crystals, all-optical switching/logic can be performed on a signal launched in the soliton-induced waveguides. Through the collisional behavior of solitons in a nonlocal medium, the signal can be steered in angle and output position. A power-dependent $X$ junction, AND, and NOR gates are demonstrated.