All-optical signal processing for terabit/second optical transmission

Recent progress toward multiterabit/s optical trans mission systems employi ng all-optical ultrafast signal-processing technologies is described. Focus is placed on optical time-division multiplexing (OTDM), as well as optical time- and wavelength-division multiplexing (OTDM/WDM) technologies leading to multiterabit/s transmission capacity. The key technologies, including u ltra-fast pulse generation, all-optical multiplexing/demultiplexing, and op tical timing extraction techniques, are also described, together with state -of-the-art performances and future prospects.