All-optical switching in distributed-feedback muiltiple-quantum-well waveguides.

We discuss experimental results that demonstrate all-optical switching and pulse-routing functionality, at 1.55 um, of nonlinear multiple-quantum-well waveguides equipped with a Bragg grating. Basing on the nonlinear Time-Domain Beam Propagation Method, the switching behavior has been theoretically investigated using a model, developed as part of this work.

All-optical switching and pulse routing in a distributed-feedback waveguide device.

Results of all-optical switching and pulse-routing experiments with a distributed-feedback multiple-quantum-well (MQW) nonlinear waveguide, operating at 1.55microm , are reported. The MQW material has been engineered, through the controlled introduction of defects, to lower the carrier lifetime from 2.5 ns to 280 ps. The energy required for switching is of the order of 1 pJ or less, the switching time is ~600 ps , and the on-off contrast exceeds 17 dB.