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Mechanism for enhanced optical nonlinearities and bistability by combined dielectric–electronic confinement in semiconductor microcrystallites

D. S. Chemla, David A. B. Miller

We propose a new type of mechanism for enhanced optical nonlinearities and intrinsic optical bistability that relies on the combination of intrinsic feedback due to local field effects and excitonic resonances in semiconductor crystallites. These effects will be further enhanced by quantum confinement in small crystallites.

Optics LettersAug 1, 1986106 citations

Progress toward all-optical logic using semiconductors

H. M. Gibbs

Intrinsic optical bistable devices have the potential for very fast all-optical logic.1 Achievement of high speeds necessitates short devices. Semiconductors are attractive materials for providing the essential optical nonlinearity because they can have absorption coefficients of order (μm)-1, ensuring strong interactions in short lengths. Furthermore, they have relatively sharp absorption features, e.g., an exciton, biexciton, or band-edge resonance, which permits very large nonlinear phase shifts via near-resonance enhancement but with low absorption by off-resonance operation.Intrinsic optical bistable devices have the potential for very fast all-optical logic.1 Achievement of high speeds necessitates short devices. Semiconductors are attractive materials for providing the essential optical nonlinearity because they can have absorption coefficients of order (μm)-1, ensuring strong interactions in short lengths. Furthermore, they have relatively sharp absorption features, e.g., an exciton, biexciton, or band-edge resonance, which permits very large nonlinear phase shifts via near-resonance enhancement but with low absorption by off-resonance operation.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-OpticsJan 1, 19831 citation

Optical Nonlinearities and Instabilities in Semiconductors

H. Haug, Stephan W. Koch, Markus Lindberg

The main mechanisms for the observed large optical nonlinearities in semiconductors are briefly discussed and illustrated for the example of the exciton ionization by plasma screening. These nonlinearities cause various types of optical bistability, either of intrinsic nature or evoked by an additional resonator feedback. Under certain operation conditions also higher instabilities such as oscillations and chaos can be obtained. As an example, the self-pulsing of an induced absorber in a ring cavity is treated. The resulting locked oscillations are shown to follow a Farey-tree scenarium.The main mechanisms for the observed large optical nonlinearities in semiconductors are briefly discussed and illustrated for the example of the exciton ionization by plasma screening. These nonlinearities cause various types of optical bistability, either of intrinsic nature or evoked by an additional resonator feedback. Under certain operation conditions also higher instabilities such as oscillations and chaos can be obtained. As an example, the self-pulsing of an induced absorber in a ring cavity is treated. The resulting locked oscillations are shown to follow a Farey-tree scenarium.

Physica ScriptaJan 1, 1986247 citations

Resonant Nonlinearities and Optical Bistability in Semiconductors

В. С. Днепровский, A. I. Furtichev, Victor I. Klimov +3 more

Springer eBooksJan 1, 19881 citation

Optical bistability based on self-focusing

John E. Bjorkholm, P. W. E. Smith, W. Tomlinson +3 more

We experimentally demonstrate a fundamentally new type of intrinsic optical bistability that requires no resonant optical cavity. Operation is based on mutual self-focusing of counterpropagating laser beams in a nonlinear medium. We propose and experimentally demonstrate a fundamentally new type of optical bistability. 1 The operation of this new class of devices is based on self-focusing of light; the feedback required for bistability is provided by an apertured retroreflector. These devices exhibit intrinsic bistability (the feedback is optical) and are related to nonlinear waveguide devices proposed earlier. 2 Self-focusing occurs when a light beam having a nonuniform spatial profile (such as a Gaussian laser beam) and sufficient intensity propagates through a nonlinear medium having an intensity-dependent index of refraction. 3 Previously proposed devices that exhibitedWe experimentally demonstrate a fundamentally new type of intrinsic optical bistability that requires no resonant optical cavity. Operation is based on mutual self-focusing of counterpropagating laser beams in a nonlinear medium. We propose and experimentally demonstrate a fundamentally new type of optical bistability. 1 The operation of this new class of devices is based on self-focusing of light; the feedback required for bistability is provided by an apertured retroreflector. These devices exhibit intrinsic bistability (the feedback is optical) and are related to nonlinear waveguide devices proposed earlier. 2 Self-focusing occurs when a light beam having a nonuniform spatial profile (such as a Gaussian laser beam) and sufficient intensity propagates through a nonlinear medium having an intensity-dependent index of refraction. 3 Previously proposed devices that exhibited

IEEE Journal of Quantum ElectronicsDec 1, 19810 citations

Giant nonlinearities, optical bistability and the optical transistor in narrow-gap semiconductors

Stanley Desmond Smith

Springer eBooksApr 6, 20083 citations

New mechanism for enhanced optical nonlinearities and intrinsic bistability in semiconductor microcrystallites

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New mechanism for enhanced optical nonlinearities and intrinsic bistability in semiconductor microcrystallites

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