Nonlinear Switching and Pulse Breakup in a Semiconductor Directional Coupler with Multi-Photon Absorption,

Abstract

Recently much interest has been placed in ultrafast all-optical switching in semiconductors near half the band gap. In this spectral range, the problem associated with two-photon absorption (2PA) can be avoided, while the relatively large nonlinear refractive index (n2) can still be utilized. Here we report for the first time a complete characterization of a near half beat length AlGaAs/GaAs quantum well (QW) nonlinear directional coupler (NLDC) and show the effects of multi-photon absorption (MPA) on nonlinear switching and pulse breakup. The NLDC used was made of 4 AlGaAs/GaAs QW's. A NaCl color-center laser with additive pulse mode-locking was used to produce 450 to 800 fsec pulses at lambda = 1.55 micrometers.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADP008167

Entities

People

  • A. Villeneuve
  • C. N. Ironside
  • Chen Yang
  • J. S. Aitchison
  • P. G. Wigley

Organizations

  • University of Central Florida

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Band Gaps
  • Color Centers
  • Directional
  • Energy Bands
  • Optical Switching
  • Photons
  • Quantum Wells
  • Refractive Index
  • Semiconductors
  • Switching
  • Two Photon Absorption

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Semiconductor Device Technology

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Quantum Computing