Optical switching in a resonant Fabry–Perot saturable absorber

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate optical switching in a Fabry-Perot saturable absorber using a pump-probe technique. The saturable absorbers are multiple quantum wells, 35 and 42 pairs of alternating layers of 7 nm thick compressively strained Ga 0.42 In 0.58 AsP. These quantum wells are separated by 8 nm thick InP barriers. The reflectivity of these samples as a function of the input optical power is theoretically and experimentally investigated. A switching rate of better than 20 MHz is observed. This optical switching is based on the mechanism of controlling the reflectivity of the Fabry-Perot saturable absorber, while operating at its resonant wavelength, by the pump power. Optical switching speed of 10 ns is possible.

Reflective vertical cavity semiconductor saturable absorber for functional operations with thermal limitations and saturable index change

“…[15] where NAND/NOR logic operations are simulated in reflective VCSSA without considering nonlinear index change property, we simulate the above logic operations with due consideration of dispersive nonlinearity and thermal effects. We show that our simulation supports the experimental observations reported elsewhere [18,19] better than Ref. [15].…”

“…[19], R th = 1000 K/W, A = 20 μm 2 , d = 0.5 μm and ρ = 1 for cw input are considered for InGaAs/InP quantum wells. The experimental results on resonance wavelength shifting are reported for In 0.58 Ga 0.42 AsP/InP in [18] and for InGaAs/InAlAs quantum wells in Ref. [19].…”

“…[18]. The sample used by them consists of 35 multiple quantum wells, and 42 pairs of alternating layers of 7 nm thick compressively strained Ga 0.42 In 0.58 AsP.…”

All-optical XNOR/NOT logic gates and LATCH based on a reflective vertical cavity semiconductor saturable absorber

“…The considered embedded materials in the F-P cavity either have absorption saturation property or saturating nonlinearity in index change. A F-P cavity embedded with quantum wells (QWs) material [1][2][3] is known as vertical cavity semiconductor saturable absorber. Its applications are in all-optical switching systems [1], dual wavelength conversion [2], AND/OR [4] and NAND/NOR logic operations [5], and signal processing.…”

All-Optical 2R Regeneration With Contrast Enhancement in a Reflective Vertical Cavity Quantum-Wells Saturable Absorber

“…In the past few years, study has also been pursued on passive vertical cavity devices like a reflective vertical cavity semiconductor saturable absorber (VCSSA) consisting of a Fabry-Pérot cavity embedded with quantum wells (QWs) material [7][8][9], the schematic of which is shown in Fig. 1.…”