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Applied Physics Letters

Optical bistability in self-electro-optic effect devices with asymmetric quantum wells

David A. B. Miller

Published Jan 16, 1989• 96 citations
Publisher

Abstract

It is shown theoretically that optical bistability is possible in a self-electro-optic effect device (SEED) with single asymmetric quantum wells because of the blue shift of the optical absorption edge with applied field possible in such structures (in contrast to the normal red shift in symmetric wells). The concept is a simplification of the scheme of J. Khurgin [Appl. Phys. Lett. 53, 779 (1988)] (which uses unequal, opposed pairs of asymmetric wells) and shares the potential advantages of lower loss in the transmitting state and less stringent requirements on the exciton absorption peaks.

DOI
10.1063/1.101008

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Applied Physics Letters•Jun 19, 1989•33 citations
It is shown theoretically that optical bistability is possible in a self-electro-optic effect device (SEED) with single asymmetric quantum wells because of the blue shift of the optical absorption edge with applied field possible in such structures (in contrast to the normal red shift in symmetric wells). The concept is a simplification of the scheme of J. Khurgin [Appl. Phys. Lett. 53, 779 (1988)] (which uses unequal, opposed pairs of asymmetric wells) and shares the potential advantages of lower loss in the transmitting state and less stringent requirements on the exciton absorption peaks.
We demonstrated the optical bistable responses of the self-electro-optic effect device without applying any external bias. The function was realized by taking advantage of the significant electric-field dependence of both intensity and wavelength of an excitonic absorption peak, which is related to a resonance of electron levels in an asymmetric coupled quantum well structure. The successful result suggests that it is possible to create an all-optical bistable device with nonsegmented planar structure.
Abstract This paper briefly reviews the nonlinear optical and electro-optical properties and applications of GaAs—AlGaAs multiple quantum wells, all of which are compatible with laser diodes or semiconductor electronics or both. They show large nonlinear absorption and refraction (associated with their strong room-temperature exciton resonances) applicable to all-optical devices. They also show large electroabsorptive effects, some of which are unique to the quantum wells at any temperature, which are so strong that optical modulators can be made with micrometre dimensions. A new class of optical bistability (due to increasing absorption) is also reviewed; combination of this with the electroabsorptive effects enables a new mirrorless optical switch called a Self Electro-optic Effect Device (SEED), which sets a new standard for optical switching energies, with energy densities reduced by a factor of six by comparison to even the best resonant cavity devices.
Electro-optical effects, such as the Franz-Keldysh effect in bulk materials or the quantum confined Stark effect in quantum well structures, lead to strong optoelectronic nonlinearities which form the basis for optical modulators and optically bistable devices. They result from a modification of the optical absorption properties by an applied electric field and are particularly pronounced in the case of low dimensional semiconductors. We review theoretical modelling and computer simulations of such optoelectronic devices in particular for ZnSe based quantum well structures, where excitonic features dominate even at room temperature. The field dependent absorption spectra are calculated by a many-body theory including the full electron-electron interaction. The transition from the quantum confined Stark effect, which is found for well widths smaller than the exciton Bohr diameter, to the Franz-Keldysh effect, which corresponds to the limit of wide wells, is studied. Optical bistability and switching is found in R-SEED and D-SEED configurations, and the optimization of the device performance is discussed.
Some interesting features of the intrinsic optical bistability, based on intersubband transitions in asymmetric semiconductor quantum wells, are analyzed within the two-level model. In particular, the excitation-induced levels shifting, on which the bistability relies, is found to be significantly influenced by the exchange-correlation potential, thus requiring self-consistent modeling-the simple charge separation dipole model is not accurate enough. The optical influence of the permanent dipole moment, characterizing bound states in asymmetric quantum wells, is also analyzed. This is found to have some beneficial and some adverse consequences on bistability, both of which may be quite important in realistic structures.>
A modulation-doped system of asymmetric-coupled quantum wells is shown theoretically to possess a large optical nonlinearity due to the change transfer associated with intersubband transition. The range of parameters leading to optical bistability is detetermined. A novel triple quantum well system is suggested, allowing a few orders of magnitude reduction in switching power density. Novel hybrid optoelectronic devices, incorporating the triple quantum well system into the channel of a modulation-doped field-effect transistor, are proposed with potential applications as optoelectronic switches and detectors.