Abstract
A photonic crystal (PC)-based symmetric Mach-Zehnder type all-optical
switch (PC-SMZ), previously operated by single pump pulse alone, has been
operated newly by a multiple-pump pulse train corresponding to a repetition
frequency of 40 GHz at pulse energy as low as 10 fJ. The device involves quantum
dots (QDs) in two parallel PC arms as optical nonlinear media and functions
as a time-differential phase modulator caused by the pump pulse inducing carriers
in the QD. Prior to the switch operation, sequential time response of the
phase shift for a probe pulse was investigated in detail by changing the power
and repetition rate of the pump pulse in the straight PC waveguide configuration.
Besides, PC and QD parameters were explored for possibility of 100% on-off
switching ratio. As a result, five QD layers, 40-ps QD relaxation-time, 500-$\mu\hbox{m}$ PC-length
and use of as low as 0.05 c PC group-velocity (c; light velocity in vacuum)
were found to implement the 100% switching ratio. Since each of these parameters
has ever been achieved experimentally, the result will pave a promising way
to an ultra-small and ultra-fast integrated all-optical switch.
© 2009 IEEE
PDF Article
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