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Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

Optical bistability measurements on a 1.S- μm semiconductor laser amplifier

H.J. Westlake, Matthew Adams, M.J. O’Mahony

Published Jan 1, 1985• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Optical bistability in semiconductor laser amplifiers is particularly interesting because of the gain provided by the device. Small changes, in input power can result in large changes in amplifier gain, and this leads to possible applications in all-optical regenerators for transmission systems. Other possible applications include their use as optical switches and logic elements.1 Optical bistability in GaAs laser amplifiers operating at 850 nm has been reported previously.2 Here we report for the first time measured results at 1.5 μm with an InGaAsP device.

DOI
10.1364/cleo.1985.ff4

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Optical bistability in vertical-cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers

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We present an overview of the properties and applications of optical bistability in vertical-cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers (VCSOAs). The basic physics and analytical models of this optical nonlinearity are discussed. Experimental results obtained from a VCSOA operated in the 850 nm wavelength region are presented. Counterclockwise hysteresis loops are obtained over a range of initial phase detuning and bias currents. One hysteresis loop is observed experimentally with an input power as low as 2 muW when the device is biased at 98% of its lasing threshold. Numerical simulations based on the Fabry-Perot resonator model and rate equations we developed show good agreement with our experimental observations. In addition, a low input intensity high contrast (10:1) optical and gate and 2R regeneration are demonstrated. We believe that bistable VCSOAs can significantly advance the prospect of a dense two-dimensional array of low-switching-intensity all-optical logic and memory elements.

Applied Optics•Aug 15, 2006•11 citations
Optical bistability in semiconductor laser amplifiers is particularly interesting because of the gain provided by the device. Small changes, in input power can result in large changes in amplifier gain, and this leads to possible applications in all-optical regenerators for transmission systems. Other possible applications include their use as optical switches and logic elements.1 Optical bistability in GaAs laser amplifiers operating at 850 nm has been reported previously.2 Here we report for the first time measured results at 1.5 μm with an InGaAsP device.
Dispersive bistability arising from the carrier-dependence of the refractive index has been observed in semiconductor lasers operated just below threshold with a small injected optical signal. The minimum optical input required for switch-up is as low as 1 μW for InGaAsP amplifiers at 1.55 μm(1) and 1.3 μm(2) (cf 30 μW for GaAs devices(3)). As yet, reliable measurements of the dynamic response are not (4) available, although we predict recovery times to be on the order of carrier lifetimes, ie a few nanoseconds at room temperature. This contribution will review our experimental and theoretical work on 1.55 μm amplifier bistability and set it in the context of other semiconductor bistable optical devices.
It has recently become clear that OB in semiconductor laser amplifiers has many potential advantages for applications in optical logic and signal processing. Foremost among these advantages may be listed (i) ready availability (compared with other bistable devices [1]), (ii) wavelength compatibility with optical communications systems, (iii) inherent optical gain (for serial processing), and (iv) a combination of microwatt switching powers and nanosecond switching times leading to femtoule optical switching energies [2,3]. In support of item (ii) on this list, it is worth noting that amplifier OB has been reported at 0.8 μm [4], 1.3 μm [5], and 1.5 μm [6], all of which are wavelengths employed for optical communications systems.
We present an overview of the properties and applications of optical bistability in vertical-cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers (VCSOAs). The basic physics and analytical models of this optical nonlinearity are discussed. Experimental results obtained from a VCSOA operated in the 850 nm wavelength region are presented. Counterclockwise hysteresis loops are obtained over a range of initial phase detuning and bias currents. One hysteresis loop is observed experimentally with an input power as low as 2 muW when the device is biased at 98% of its lasing threshold. Numerical simulations based on the Fabry-Perot resonator model and rate equations we developed show good agreement with our experimental observations. In addition, a low input intensity high contrast (10:1) optical and gate and 2R regeneration are demonstrated. We believe that bistable VCSOAs can significantly advance the prospect of a dense two-dimensional array of low-switching-intensity all-optical logic and memory elements.