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Final Technical Report

Fast switches for optical communication utilizing optical Kerr or ellipse rotation effect

Richard K. Chang

Published Mar 1, 1981• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

This report summarizes the results of an investigation of several different types of optically activated light switches based on third-order nonlinear optical effects. Two optical switches utilizing the change of refractive index induced in a nonlinear medium by an intense light beam are described: one utilizes a single-pass and the other a multiple-pass (interferometric) geometry. Results of a search to find new media with large nonlinearities are given, and the possibility of increasing the nonlinearity of commonly used media by Raman-type resonant enhancement is discussed. The theoretical and experimental behavior of Fabry-Perot interferometer switch with a nonlinearly absorbing intracavity medium is also presented. In some cases, the switch could be activated by anomalously low pump powers, and possible mechanisms for this effect are discussed. The results of a literature search on the photorefractive effect are presented along with the results of an experimental effort to measure the photorefractive effect in Ge:SiO2. (Author)

Related papers

Complement 7B: Nonlinear optics in optical Kerr media

G. Grynberg, Alain Aspect, Claude Fabre +1 more

In this complement we discuss several examples of optical phenomena in media where the refractive index depends nonlinearly on the intensity , known as optical Kerr media. This nonlinear effect exists in all materials, even isotropic ones, like glass or fused silica, but it is particularly marked in certain physical systems to be exemplified in Section 7B.1. After investigating the propagation of light through such media in Section 7B.2, we shall discuss three applications of the optical Kerr effect (which can be studied in any order). We begin by describing a bistable optical system , when this nonlinear medium is inserted in a Fabry–Perot cavity (Section 7B.3). We then study phase conjugate mirrors and examine their potential applications in adaptive optics (Section 7B.4). Finally, we discuss certain effects occurring during the propagation of an isolated wave, bounded either transversely or temporally, in a Kerr medium, and describe self-focusing effects (Section 7B.5) and self-phase-modulation effects (Section 7B.6). In particular, we shall show that nonlinear effects and dispersion effects can compensate to produce stable structures known as solitons , which maintain their shape during propagation. Examples of third-order nonlinearities Nonlinear response of two-level atoms We begin by studying a simple case of a nonlinear interaction, namely a two-level quantum system under the effects of a plane wave.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Sep 2, 2010•0 citations

All-optical switching via enhanced Kerr nonlinearity in three-level atoms

Hai Wang, David J. Goorskey, Min Xiao

Summary form only given. The reduced absorption and enhanced nonlinearity in a three-level electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) system are very important in achieving an effective all-optical switching action. The Kerr-nonlinear index of refraction of a three-level EIT medium can be greatly enhanced near resonance due to atomic coherence induced in such a system in comparison with a two-level atomic system, as we have shown by using an optical ring cavity. Both the magnitude and sign of the Kerr-nonlinear index change dramatically for different frequency detunings of the controlling (or coupling) or cavity (or probe) field. Bistability and dynamic instability occur when such a three-level /spl Lambda/-type EIT system is placed inside an optical ring cavity and the controlling and cavity input intensities to exceed certain threshold values. In this paper, we present a recent experimental demonstration of controlling the cavity output intensity by modulating the frequency detuning of the controlling beam.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•Jun 25, 2003•0 citations

Light Controlling Light with Enhanced Kerr Nonlinearity

Min Xiao, Hai Wang, David J. Goorskey

The Kerr nonlinear index of refraction of a three-level atomic medium can be greatly enhanced by atomic coherence induced by two laser beams. Such electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) media can be used to generate efficient nonlinear optical processes at low light intensities. Control and enhancement of Kerr nonlinearity in EIT media can be useful in all-optical communication, all-optical computing, and quantum information processing.

Optics and Photonics News•Sep 1, 2002•16 citations

Light-Induced Nonreciprocity: Directional Optical Bistability; Spectroscopy of Induced Anisotropy; Nonlinear Sagnac Effect

A. E. Kaplan

In our recent research1, it was suggested that counter-propagating laser beams in a Kerr-nonlinear medium can induce intensity-dependent nonreciprocity which consists in different changes of refractive indecies for both of the waves. Under some conditions, this can result in such directionally asymmetrical effects as (i) directional bistability in a nonlinear ring resonator which allows one to switch the direction of propagation of a dominant mode and (ii) enhancement of the Sagnac effect in a rotating ring resonator.

Topical Meeting on Optical Bistability (OB)•Jan 1, 1983•0 citations

Coherent-beam amplification and polarization switching in a birefringent medium-photorefractive crystal

I. C. Khoo, Y. Liang, Haorong Li

A recent theory of polarization switching and beam amplification effect in Kerr-like media is extended to birefringent photorefractive crystals. In this class of material, the birefringence allows a new mechanism for coherent nonlinear mixing effects among the extraordinary and ordinary waves, leading to amplification and polarization switching effects. Analytic solutions of the parametric equations governing these interacting waves are solved for both the phase-matched and phase-mismatched geometries. The authors also present an experimental confirmation of the predicted polarization switching effect.>

IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics•Jan 1, 1992•12 citations

Using transverse optical patterns for ultra-low-light all-optical switching

Andrew M. C. Dawes

All-optical devices allow improvements in the speed of optical communication and computation systems by avoiding the conversion between the optical and electronic domains. The focus of this thesis is the experimental investigation of a new type of all-optical switch that is based on the control of optical patterns formed by nonlinear interactions between light and matter.\n\nThe all-optical switch consists of a pair of light beams that counterpropagate through warm rubidium vapor. These beams induce a nonlinear optical instability that gives rise to mirrorless parametric self-oscillation and generates light in the state of polarization that is orthogonal to that of the pump beams. In the far-field, the generated light forms patterns consisting of two or more spots. To characterize this instability, I observe experimentally the amount of generated power and the properties of the generated patterns as a function of pump beam intensity, frequency, and size. Near an atomic resonance, the instability has a very low threshold: with less than 1~mW of total pump power, >3~$\\mu$W of power is generated.\n\nTo apply this system to all-optical switching, I observe that the orientation of the generated patterns can be controlled by introducing a symmetry-breaking perturbation to the system. A perturbation in the form of a weak switch beam injected into the nonlinear medium is suitable for controlling the orientation of the generated patterns. The device operates as a switch where each state of the pattern orientation corresponds to a state of the switch, and spatial filtering of the generated pattern defines the output ports of the device. Measurements of the switch response show that it can be actuated by as few as 600~photons. For a switch beam with 1/e field radius $w_0=185\\,\\mu$m, 600 photons correspond to $5.4\\times10^{-4}$ photons/\\lambdasquared which is comparable to the best reported results from all-optical switches based on electromagnetically-induced transparentcy (EIT). This approach to all-optical switching operates at very low light levels and exhibits cascadability and transistorlike response. Furthermore, the sensitivity is comparable to switches using cold-atom EIT or cavity quantum-electrodynamics techniques but is achieved with a simpler system, requiring only one optical frequency and occurring in warm atomic vapor.\n\nI develop a numerical model for the switch that exhibits patterns that rotate in the presence of a weak applied optical field. Results from this model, and from my experiment, show that the switch response time increases as the input power decreases. I propose that this increase is due to critical slowing down (CSD). Mapping the pattern orientation to a simple one-dimensional system shows that CSD can account for the observed increase in response time at low input power. The ultimate performance of the device is likely limited by CSD and I conclude that the minimum number of photons capable of actuating the switch is between 400 and 600 photons.

•Apr 24, 2008•2 citations
This report summarizes the results of an investigation of several different types of optically activated light switches based on third-order nonlinear optical effects. Two optical switches utilizing the change of refractive index induced in a nonlinear medium by an intense light beam are described: one utilizes a single-pass and the other a multiple-pass (interferometric) geometry. Results of a search to find new media with large nonlinearities are given, and the possibility of increasing the nonlinearity of commonly used media by Raman-type resonant enhancement is discussed. The theoretical and experimental behavior of Fabry-Perot interferometer switch with a nonlinearly absorbing intracavity medium is also presented. In some cases, the switch could be activated by anomalously low pump powers, and possible mechanisms for this effect are discussed. The results of a literature search on the photorefractive effect are presented along with the results of an experimental effort to measure the photorefractive effect in Ge:SiO2. (Author)
In this complement we discuss several examples of optical phenomena in media where the refractive index depends nonlinearly on the intensity , known as optical Kerr media. This nonlinear effect exists in all materials, even isotropic ones, like glass or fused silica, but it is particularly marked in certain physical systems to be exemplified in Section 7B.1. After investigating the propagation of light through such media in Section 7B.2, we shall discuss three applications of the optical Kerr effect (which can be studied in any order). We begin by describing a bistable optical system , when this nonlinear medium is inserted in a Fabry–Perot cavity (Section 7B.3). We then study phase conjugate mirrors and examine their potential applications in adaptive optics (Section 7B.4). Finally, we discuss certain effects occurring during the propagation of an isolated wave, bounded either transversely or temporally, in a Kerr medium, and describe self-focusing effects (Section 7B.5) and self-phase-modulation effects (Section 7B.6). In particular, we shall show that nonlinear effects and dispersion effects can compensate to produce stable structures known as solitons , which maintain their shape during propagation. Examples of third-order nonlinearities Nonlinear response of two-level atoms We begin by studying a simple case of a nonlinear interaction, namely a two-level quantum system under the effects of a plane wave.
Summary form only given. The reduced absorption and enhanced nonlinearity in a three-level electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) system are very important in achieving an effective all-optical switching action. The Kerr-nonlinear index of refraction of a three-level EIT medium can be greatly enhanced near resonance due to atomic coherence induced in such a system in comparison with a two-level atomic system, as we have shown by using an optical ring cavity. Both the magnitude and sign of the Kerr-nonlinear index change dramatically for different frequency detunings of the controlling (or coupling) or cavity (or probe) field. Bistability and dynamic instability occur when such a three-level /spl Lambda/-type EIT system is placed inside an optical ring cavity and the controlling and cavity input intensities to exceed certain threshold values. In this paper, we present a recent experimental demonstration of controlling the cavity output intensity by modulating the frequency detuning of the controlling beam.
In our recent research1, it was suggested that counter-propagating laser beams in a Kerr-nonlinear medium can induce intensity-dependent nonreciprocity which consists in different changes of refractive indecies for both of the waves. Under some conditions, this can result in such directionally asymmetrical effects as (i) directional bistability in a nonlinear ring resonator which allows one to switch the direction of propagation of a dominant mode and (ii) enhancement of the Sagnac effect in a rotating ring resonator.
A recent theory of polarization switching and beam amplification effect in Kerr-like media is extended to birefringent photorefractive crystals. In this class of material, the birefringence allows a new mechanism for coherent nonlinear mixing effects among the extraordinary and ordinary waves, leading to amplification and polarization switching effects. Analytic solutions of the parametric equations governing these interacting waves are solved for both the phase-matched and phase-mismatched geometries. The authors also present an experimental confirmation of the predicted polarization switching effect.>
All-optical devices allow improvements in the speed of optical communication and computation systems by avoiding the conversion between the optical and electronic domains. The focus of this thesis is the experimental investigation of a new type of all-optical switch that is based on the control of optical patterns formed by nonlinear interactions between light and matter.\n\nThe all-optical switch consists of a pair of light beams that counterpropagate through warm rubidium vapor. These beams induce a nonlinear optical instability that gives rise to mirrorless parametric self-oscillation and generates light in the state of polarization that is orthogonal to that of the pump beams. In the far-field, the generated light forms patterns consisting of two or more spots. To characterize this instability, I observe experimentally the amount of generated power and the properties of the generated patterns as a function of pump beam intensity, frequency, and size. Near an atomic resonance, the instability has a very low threshold: with less than 1~mW of total pump power, >3~mu\\mumuW of power is generated.\n\nTo apply this system to all-optical switching, I observe that the orientation of the generated patterns can be controlled by introducing a symmetry-breaking perturbation to the system. A perturbation in the form of a weak switch beam injected into the nonlinear medium is suitable for controlling the orientation of the generated patterns. The device operates as a switch where each state of the pattern orientation corresponds to a state of the switch, and spatial filtering of the generated pattern defines the output ports of the device. Measurements of the switch response show that it can be actuated by as few as 600~photons. For a switch beam with 1/e field radius w0=185,muw_0=185\\,\\muw0​=185,mum, 600 photons correspond to 5.4times10−45.4\\times10^{-4}5.4times10−4 photons/\\lambdasquared which is comparable to the best reported results from all-optical switches based on electromagnetically-induced transparentcy (EIT). This approach to all-optical switching operates at very low light levels and exhibits cascadability and transistorlike response. Furthermore, the sensitivity is comparable to switches using cold-atom EIT or cavity quantum-electrodynamics techniques but is achieved with a simpler system, requiring only one optical frequency and occurring in warm atomic vapor.\n\nI develop a numerical model for the switch that exhibits patterns that rotate in the presence of a weak applied optical field. Results from this model, and from my experiment, show that the switch response time increases as the input power decreases. I propose that this increase is due to critical slowing down (CSD). Mapping the pattern orientation to a simple one-dimensional system shows that CSD can account for the observed increase in response time at low input power. The ultimate performance of the device is likely limited by CSD and I conclude that the minimum number of photons capable of actuating the switch is between 400 and 600 photons.