Impact of structural asymmetry on the efficiency of triple-core photonic crystal fiber for all-optical logic operation

We investigate the nonlinear dynamics and steering performance of structurally asymmetric triple-core photonic crystal fiber (ATPCF) for the accomplishment of efficient all-optical logic gates. We study two kinds of ATPCF, one with planar and the other with triangular core setting. The effective mode indices are obtained through the finite element method. The dynamics and steering characteristics of ATPCF are numerically explored via coupled nonlinear Schrodinger equations. The extinction ratios for the various logic gate operations are determined in the presence of suitable control signal. ATPCFs are found to demonstrate efficient logic gate operation; in addition, they highlight the practical issue of geometrical tolerance in PCF design. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America