Japanese Journal of Applied Physics
Optical Kerr Signals Markedly Enhanced by Increasing Quality Factor in a GaAs/AlAs Multilayer Cavity
Ken Morita, Tomoya Takahashi, Takahiro Kitada, Toshiro Isu
Abstract
Optical Kerr signals markedly enhanced by increasing quality (Q) factor in a GaAs/AlAs multilayer cavity have been demonstrated using time-resolved optical measurements. In the optical Kerr measurements, the spectral width of a laser pulse was well tuned to the peak of the cavity mode using the wavelength-restricted optical system. Although the Q of a 30-pair cavity is only 1.6 times larger than that of a 26-pair cavity, the optical Kerr signal intensity of the 30-pair cavity is 10 times larger than that of the 26-pair cavity. We have revealed that the optical Kerr signal of the GaAs/AlAs multilayer cavity is markedly enhanced nearly proportional to the Q 4 as a result of the enhanced nonlinear phase shift owing to the strong internal optical field and the long photon lifetime of the cavity-mode light.