An optical memory having an input port for receiving an input optical signal
to
be stored in the optical memory is disclosed. A portion of the optical signal is
coupled to a storage loop for storing optical signals by a coupler that transfers
a portion of the input optical signal to the storage loop. An optical signal stored
in the storage loop is output by coupling a portion of that optical signal to a
first external optical waveguide. The storage loop includes a semiconductor optical
amplifier for amplifying the signals stored in the storage loop to compensate for
losses incurred by those signals in traversing the storage loop. A plurality of
such optical memories can be combined to form a larger memory that includes a reconditioning
circuit that resets the amplitude of the optical signals to a value that depends
on the amplitude of the optical signals.
