Abstract

The abrupt increase in the traffic demand requires the need of ultrafast advanced optical networks that are capable of achieving the throughput ranging from hundreds Gb/s to several Tb/s. Advanced transmission technologies such as DWDM have been intensively researched to provide huge transmission capacity and flexible network operation. All-optical switches, which are not limited by the speed of electronic devices, have a large number of applications in high-speed optical communication system. All-optical switching operation is obtained in a DFB structure containing optical Kerr-like media.¹ To date, we have demonstrated all-optical set-rest switching² and thresholding operation³ in a strip-loaded DFB waveguide. Also, we have discussed the dependence of switching power on the control wavelength⁴ and polarization⁵.

© 2002 Optical Society of America