American Journal of Optics and Photonics

2020; 8(1): 1-5

http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajop
doi: 10.11648/j.ajop.20200801.11
ISSN: 2330-8486 (Print); ISSN: 2330-8494 (Online)

An All Optical Approach to Construct J-K Flip-Flop by

Proper Exploitation of Nonlinear Material
Partha Pratim Das
School of Applied Science & Humanities, Haldia Institute of Technology, ICARE Complex, HIT, Haldia, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal,
India

Email address:

To cite this article:

Partha Pratim Das. An All Optical Approach to Construct J-K Flip-Flop by Proper Exploitation of Nonlinear Material. American Journal of
Optics and Photonics. Vol. 8, No. 1, 2020, pp. 1-5. doi: 10.11648/j.ajop.20200801.11

Received: August 5, 2019; Accepted: January 18, 2020; Published: January 31, 2020

Abstract: Optical signal is the best suitable one for data processing and digital signal communication for its inherent
parallelism and tremendous operational speed. Conventional electronic or optoelectronic devices are unable to fulfill this
due to less speed and time delay. In the case of perfect electronic flip-flop, at the time of switching turned ON, there is
noticeable propagation delay on the order of nanoseconds. In the case of an opto-electronic flip-flop, although the
propagation delays time is much less than those of a pure electronic flip-flop about 10 to 100 times less, there are many
disadvantages still have. Some of these disadvantages are delay of response time due to the use of spatial light
modulators, an O/E converter that does not operate at all frequencies or wavelengths, and the unavailability of such
materials. An optical input encoding methodology may be the alternative for the performance of two inputs all-optical
flip-flop operations. These operations may be conducted in all-optical mode and will be parallel in nature. All the
operations may be conducted with proper exploitation of some nonlinear materials. In this communication author
reported an optical encoding technique for the construction of clocked J-K flip-flop with two inputs. All the operations
are conducted by the proper exploitation of nonlinear materials.
Keywords: Inherent Parallelism, Optoelectronics, Logic Gates, J-K Flip-flop, Optical Nonlinear Material

mode. Figure 1 shows the coding technique of two binary

1. Introduction variables 0 and 1 for two inputs A and B. By superimposing
of two binary inputs A and B, we can get four operations, i.e.,
AND AB, AB, AB, and NOR, respectively shown in Figures
2(a) – 2(d).

Figure 1. Encoding technique of two binary inputs A and B.

In this communication all the operations have been

conducted by the proper exploitation of the inherent
parallelism of optical signal and nonlinear material [1, 2].
The spatial encoding and decoding methodology is already
accepted for bitwise binary data addition and subtraction [3].
In this process, the inputs become encoded by the Figure 2. a. Output image for A = 0, B = 0. b. Output image for A = 0, B =
combination of presence and absence of light in spatial light 1. c. Output image for A = 1, B = 0. d. Output image for A = 1, B = 1.
2 Partha Pratim Das: An All Optical Approach to Construct J-K Flip-Flop by Proper Exploitation of Nonlinear Material

2. Some All-Optical Logic Operations by device for this purpose [6, 7]. In Figure 4, the operational
technique of OPNLM as switching device is shown. The
Spatial Encoding reflected probe beam from the OPNLM gives the output. If
The optical imaging system shown in Figure 3 is a lens- the two read beams from two opposite sides of the OPNLM
based optical technique that makes a complete are given in a spatially encoded form and the two forms of
superimposition of input A with input B in the output screen the beams are superimposed completely on the OPNLM, then
[4, 5]. The superimposition results come in the form of the probe beam will be reflected back only from that position
presence or absence of light in the respective area. Each of of OPNLM where two read beams present and no light will
four square areas of the output indicates 1 with the presence come back from the other positions of the same.
of optical signal and 0 with the absence of the same.

Figure 3. Four logical operations for the superimposition of two inputs A

Figure 4. Operational technique of an optical nonlinear material (OPNLM).
and B (NOR, A B, A B , AND).
Now let us describe these four logic operations with truth
table [10]. When both A an B inputs are 0, we can have the
presence of light in the upper-left box in the output screen.
Hence, we get all outputs of these four operations to be 0
except NOR output, which is 1.
When input A is 0 and B is 1, we get the presence of light
in the upper-right box of the output screen. Hence, we get all
outputs of these four operations to be 0 except A B output,
which is 1.
When input A is 1 and B is 0, we get the presence of light
in the lower-left box of the output screen. Hence, we get all
outputs of these four operations to be 0 except A B output,
which is 1.
When both A and B inputs are 1, we get the presence of
Figure 5. Optical implementation of four logical operations for the
light in the lower right box of the output screen. Hence, we
superposition of two inputs A and B, i.e., AND, A B , A B and NOR by
get all outputs of these four operations to be 0 except AND
optical nonlinear material (OPNLM).
output, which is 1.
When both A and B inputs are high, only position 1 of
Table 1. Truth table for AND, A B , A B and NOR Operation. Figure 5 gets light from both input read beams. Hence, the
Input(s) Output(s) NLM of position 1 is active, and the probe beam falling on
A B AND AB NOR
this position will be reflected back and comes as an NOR
AB
output. In this case, other positions 2, 3, and 4 of the NLM
0 0 0 0 0 1
0 1 0 0 1 0
are inactive, as they are not excited by the input read beams
1 0 0 1 0 0 from both sides, and hence we get no light for A B, AND,
1 1 1 0 0 0
and A B outputs, which are treated as 0.
Now, position 3 of the NLM will receive two light beams
3. Use of Nonlinear Material for Some from two opposite sides when A is 1 and B is 0. So the probe
Other Logic Operation beam can be reflected back from position 3 of the NLM,
giving the case of A B operation, and other probe beams from
Optical nonlinear material (OPNLM) used here positions 1, 2, and 4 of the NLM will not reflect light. Thus,
successfully to get different logical operations [10]. we get A B output as 1 and other output as 0. Two light beams
Potassium dyhydrogen phosphate, simply known as KDP
from opposite sides will illuminate position 2 only when A is 0
crystal (KH2PO4) or lithium niobate (LiNbO3) of
and B is 1. So the probe beam is reflected back from position 2
considerable size may be used successfully as a switching
 American Journal of Optics and Photonics 2020; 8(1): 1-5 3

of NLM, giving the case of A B operation, and other probe SLM has the character of allowing a light beam to pass
beams from positions 1, 3, and 4 of the NLM will not be through it if it has no optical triggering signal and is opaque
if there is sufficient amount of optical triggering signal. By
reflected, giving A B output as 1 and other outputs as 0.
the use of an SLM-based input coded system and also by the
Similarly, position 4 of the NLM will receive two light use of different optical component like beam splitters (BSs),
beams from two opposite sides when A is 0 and B is also 0. mirrors (Ms), etc., the all-optical scheme of developing a J-K
So the probe is reflected back only from position 4 of the flip-flop, which is shown in Figure 7 proposed here. The
NLM, giving the case optical nonlinear material OPNLM is used very successfully
of AND operation, and other probe beams from positions to get flip-flop functioning.
1, 2, and 3 of the NLM will not be reflected, giving AND
output as 1 and other outputs as 0.

4. Optical Flip-Flop with Nonlinear

Material
Here, by proper exploitation of nonlinear material I have
designed an all-optical J-K flip-flop using nonlinear material
[8, 9]. The coding techniques for inputs J and K are given in Figure 6. Coding of two binary variables K and J.
Figure 6. Input J takes the value 1 i.e., high input value when
the upper rectangular half is opaque and the lower Figure 7 shows the basic block diagram of a clocked J-K
rectangular half is transparent. In this way, when the upper flip-flop. Between two clock pulses at clock= 0 stage, the
rectangular half is transparent and the lower rectangular half outputs of N3 and N4 are 1 independent of the values of J and
is opaque, it takes the value 0 i.e., low input value. Similarly, K, i.e., the flip-flop does not change the state between clock
input K takes the value 1 i.e., high input value when the right pulses, it is invariant within a bit time given in Table 2. When
rectangular half is transparent and the left rectangular half is a clock is present at clock= 1 stage, the truth table follows
opaque. In this way, when the left rectangular half is Table 2. When J = 0 and K = 0 at clock= 1, it shows the
transparent and right rectangular half is opaque, it takes the previous state as electronic J-K flip-flop. When J = 1 and K =
value 0 i.e., low input value. The +ve spatial light modulator 1 clock= 1, it remains intact and shows the previous state of J
SLM has the character of allowing a light beam to pass = 0 and K = 1 clock= 1. When J = 1 and K = 0 at clock = 1,
through it if it has sufficient optical triggering signal and is output changes its state only.
opaque if there is no optical triggering signal. Similarly, -ve

Figure 7. Conventional clocked electronic J-K flip-flop.

We have used here the OPNLM only for the beam from For J = 1 and K = 0, the light falls on the OPNLM from
position 1 of the superimposed beams of J and K structures, one side i.e., from position 3, and high CLK signal falls on
as given in Figure 8. The clock CLK signal optical is driving another side of the OPNLM. So the probe beam being
one end of the OPNLM material and a +ve SLM that is partially reflected by the beam splitter falls on the OPNLM
controlling the light emerging from position 2 of Figure 8 for and is reflected by it to come to the output Q. A part of the
J = 0 and K = 1. This light passing through the +ve SLM only output beam is fed back to the inputs of the OPNLM through
for high CLK values, and again it triggers a-ve SLM partial reflection by the beam splitter. So if J and K are
introduced in the path of the light beam coming from position withdrawn, we get the light at the output Q, as the feedback
3 of Figure 8. output signal drives the two inputs of the OPNLM.
4 Partha Pratim Das: An All Optical Approach to Construct J-K Flip-Flop by Proper Exploitation of Nonlinear Material

Table 2. Truth table for optical J-K flip-flop. Now, if J is made low and K is made high, the light beam
CLK J K Output(s) Q that comes from position 2 of Figure 8 passes through the
0 0 0 No Change +ve SLM for high CLK signal and triggers the -ve SLM,
0 0 1 No Change which then becomes opaque and blocks the light on one side
0 1 0 No Change of the input channel of the OPNLM. The OPNLM then
0 1 1 No Change
becomes inactive and drops the reflected probe beam falling
1 0 0 No Change
1 0 1 0 on it, giving no light at the output. The system in Figure 8
1 1 0 1 will work following the truth table in Table 2 to support the
1 1 1 0 principle of J-K clocked flip-flop.

Figure 8. Clocked J-K flip-flop using OPNLM.

For other values of J and K, the output does not change counterpart when CLK= 1, J = 0, and K = 0. Here, we get a
i.e., the earlier values remain intact, as given in the truth no concrete output i.e., its value is continuous here, when
table. Here, the high and low values of the output are given clock is 0. As it is an all-optical system, we may get the flip-
by the presence or absence of light, respectively. Thus, we flop with real-time operations.
have designed a clocked J-K flip-flop, avoiding the race
around condition.
Here, I use a continuous He-Ne laser as the probe beam, References
with power about 2 mW and wavelength 6.328310−5 cm.
[1] R. P. Bocker, B. L. Drake, M. E. Lasher, and T. B. Henderson,
“Modified signed-digit addition and subtraction using optical
5. Conclusion sym-bolic substitution,” Appl. Opt. 25, 2456–2457 1986.

This methodology used in the spatial input encoding is not [2] B. L. Drake, R. P. Bocker, M. E. Lasher, R. H. Patterson, and
only an all-optical method for conducting logical and flip- W. J. Maceli, “Photonic computing using the modified signed-
digit number representation,” Opt. Eng. 25, 38–43 1986.
flop memory operations, but it is also a method of parallel
handling of optical signals. Here, the number of logic [3] S. Mukhopadhyay, “Binary optical data subtraction by using a
operations are four for both the cases of optical imaging ter-nary digit representation technique in optical arithmetic
device based systems as well as nonlinear material based problems,” Appl. Opt. 31, 4622–4623 1992.
systems. This spatial input encoding technique for an all- [4] B. Liu, L. Liu, L. Shao, and H. Chen, “Matrix–vector
optical logical operation can be extended for three or higher multiplication in a photorefractive crystal,” Opt. Commun.
input logic systems also. This technique will give better 146, 34–38 1998.
responses with the suitable and better availability of NLM. It [5] C. Denz, T. Dellwig, J. Lembeke, and T. Tschudi, “Parallel
should be mentioned that diffraction is a major limitation. optical image addition and subtraction in a dynamic photo-
The diffraction will restrict the selection of input-output cell refractive memory by phase code multiplexing,” Opt. Lett. 21,
dimensions, and we should be very cautious about the 278–283 1996.
diffraction limitation in the image processing technique. The [6] S. D. Smith, I. Janossy, H. A. Mackenzie, J. G. H. Mathew, J.
scheme in Figure 8 will be possible to be operated E. E. Reid, M. R. Taghizadeh, F. A. P. Tooley, and A. C.
systematically if suitable optically driven NLM be found. Walker, “Nonlin-ear optical circuit elements, logic gates for
However, the J-K flip-flop is different from its electronic optical computers: the first digital optical circuits,” Opt. Eng.
24 (4), 569 1985.
 American Journal of Optics and Photonics 2020; 8(1): 1-5 5

[7] A. Basuray, S. Mukhopadhyay, H. K. Ghosh, and A. K. Datta, [9] D. Samanta and S. Mukhopadhyay, “Implementation of an
“A tristate optical logic system,” Opt. Commun. 85, 167–170 optical S-R flip-flop with polarization encoded light signals,”
1991. Optoelectron. Lett. 5 (1), 57–60 2009.
[8] T. Kacprzak, “Analysis of oscillatory metastable operation of [10] D. Giri and P. P. Das, New alternative approach to all-optical
an RS flip-flop,” IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits 23 (1), 260–266 flip-flop with nonlinear material,” Optical Engg. 49 (7),
1988. 075201 (1-5), 2010.

Biography
Partha Pratima Das received his BS, MS (with first class) and doctoral degrees in physics in 1993, 1995 & 2003
respectively from Vidyasagar University. He is now working as a professor in physics in the School of Applied Science
& Humanities as well as Controller of Examinations, Haldia Institute of Technology, West Bengal, India. His research
fields include optical parallel computation, optical devices and nonlinear optics. He has contributed more than 35
research papers in refereed international and national journals and symposium proceedings. He has also delivered several
lectures at international and national conferences and seminars.