Devices and methods for optical processing and storage are described. In a
preferred embodiment, an integrated optical gate matrix, that includes a
set of nonlinear elements and waveguides interconnecting at least some
nonlinear elements in the set of nonlinear elements, may be configured to
enable optical processing. A first subset of the set of nonlinear
elements is preferably configured to function as a set of ON/OFF switches
in the "OFF" state to enable a second subset of the set of nonlinear
elements to be configured in at least one optical processing
configuration. Configuration of the second subset of the set of nonlinear
elements may be used for various optical processing operations, such as
all-optical 2R or 3R regeneration, wavelength conversion, data format
conversion, demultiplexing, clock recovery, logic operations and
dispersion compensation. Related apparatus and methods are also
described.