Ultrafast all-optical bistability in AlGaAs photonic crystals

Chad Husko; Chee Wei Wong

doi:10.1117/12.686223

2 October 2006 Ultrafast all-optical bistability in AlGaAs photonic crystals

Chad Husko, Chee Wei Wong

Proceedings Volume 6393, Nanophotonics for Communication: Materials, Devices, and Systems III; 63930J (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.686223
Event: Optics East 2006, 2006, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Abstract

We present the design and fabrication of an all-optical bistable device in AlGaAs. The material is known to have a nonlinear figure-of-merit that is in larger silicon and thus well suited to nonlinear experiments. We employ theoretical analysis consisting of both analytical models and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods to ensure robust design and to estimate the power threshold of the proposed device. The proposed nanocavity experiment suggests low powers (~10² μW) and ultra fast switching (~ps) on chip limited only by photon lifetime. This is an improvement over silicon based experiments, which have demonstrated ~ 100 nanosecond responses but intrinsically bounded by free-carrier dynamics [12]. In this manuscript, we will elaborate on theoretical and experimental considerations required to implement a low power, ultrafast bistable device that forms a fundamental building block in all-optical logic operations.

Citation Download Citation

Chad Husko and Chee Wei Wong "Ultrafast all-optical bistability in AlGaAs photonic crystals", Proc. SPIE 6393, Nanophotonics for Communication: Materials, Devices, and Systems III, 63930J (2 October 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.686223

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available