Demonstration of real-time address header decoding for optical data routing at 1536 nm

We have demonstrated real-time decoding of 20-bit biphase-coded address header pulses, using stimulated photon echoes in a phase-matched crossed-beam configuration. This decoding is one of the functions required for coherent transient optical data routing, packet switching, and processing. The active medium used was single-crystal Y2SiO5 doped with Er3+, which provides an operating wavelength of 1536 nm. © 1998 Optical Society of America.