Abstract

In order to implement ultrafast all-optical switching using the optical nonlinearities induced by two-photon transitions in semiconductors, subpicosecond pulses are usually needed for achieving the required high peak powers¹. However, because the two-photon absorption coefficient and induced nonlinear , refractive-index are frequency dependent, particularly when the signal wavelength is close to a strong transition, femtosecond pulses (with large bandwidths) will experience dispersive nonlinear absorption and self-phase modulation. These effects may severely distort the pulses and degrade the switching.

© 1993 Optical Society of America