All-optical 1 x N switching device by use of the phase modulation of spatial solitons.

We proposed a new all-optical switching device by using the phase modulation of spatial solitons. The proposed structure is composed of an asymmetric nonlinear Mach-Zehnder interferometer (NMZI) with different lengths for the two arms, the uniform nonlinear medium, and the nonlinear output waveguides. The asymmetric NMZI functions like a phase shifter. The all-optical switching scheme employs angular deflection of spatial solitons controlled by phase modulation created in the asymmetric NMZI. By properly launching the input power and varying the lengths of the delay branch and the uniform nonlinear medium, it is possible for this device to be generalized to a 1 x N all-optical switching device.