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Nonlinear Guided Waves and Their Applications

Nonlinear Optical Switching in GaAlAs Waveguides

J. D. R. Valera, Dominic J. Goodwill, Andy C. Walker

Published Jan 1, 1989• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Previously reported observations of optical bistability in a GaAs/GaAlAs waveguide cavity included whole-sample thermally induced absorptive and refractive bistability [1] and localised (μs) thermally induced absorptive bistability [2]. Other groups have observed refractive bistability due to an optoelectronic mechanism in MQW GaAs/GaAlAs waveguides [3,4]. In this paper we report the observation of bistability due to thermally induced changes in leaky modes within a GaAs/GaAlAs waveguide and discuss the optimisation of optoelectronic nonlinearities in semiconductor guides of this type. A leaky planar waveguide consists of a low index layer bounded by two higher index layers. These exhibit radiative losses, where for the nth order mode the attenuation coefficient is proportional to (n+1)2 [5]. In this investigation the waveguides used were short enough to allow good transmission of the lower order modes.

DOI
10.1364/nlgwp.1989.thb5

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Previously reported observations of optical bistability in a GaAs/GaAlAs waveguide cavity included whole-sample thermally induced absorptive and refractive bistability [1] and localised (μs) thermally induced absorptive bistability [2]. Other groups have observed refractive bistability due to an optoelectronic mechanism in MQW GaAs/GaAlAs waveguides [3,4]. In this paper we report the observation of bistability due to thermally induced changes in leaky modes within a GaAs/GaAlAs waveguide and discuss the optimisation of optoelectronic nonlinearities in semiconductor guides of this type. A leaky planar waveguide consists of a low index layer bounded by two higher index layers. These exhibit radiative losses, where for the nth order mode the attenuation coefficient is proportional to (n+1)2 [5]. In this investigation the waveguides used were short enough to allow good transmission of the lower order modes.
Optical bistability has been observed in a semiconductor for the first time. The bistable etalon consists of a GaAlAs-GaAs-GaAlAs molecular-beam-epitaxially-grown sandwich with 90% reflectivity coatings. The bistability is primarily dispersive with the nonlinear refractive index arising from light-induced changes in exciton absorption. Using light of frequency just below the exciton peak, we observed bistability from 5 to 120 °K with 40-ns turn-off and subnanosecond turn-on times with 1 mW/μm2 holding intensity.
Photonic data transmission and processing require highly efficient all-optical elements for signal amplification, switching and data storage. It could be shown experimentally that semiconductor planar resonators can be envisaged as promising candidates [1]. In particular, optical bistability, that has been shown to exist in these configurations, opens a wide field of applications. Because the operating frequencies are near the band gap of the direct semiconductors used the nonlinearities are giant. Hence the critical power for nonlinear effects to occur is fairly moderate. In view of these advantages it might be worthwhile to study such resonators in a waveguide scheme because it can be included into integrated optics configurations. In planar resonators one has not to worry about the absorption, being extremely large near the gap, because the overall thickness is only a few micrometers and they are usually operated in reflection. The situation appears more involved in waveguides. Usually one prefers to exploit the transmitted signal in order to separate input and output channels. Moreover the efficiency of the distributed Bragg reflectors, surrounding the cavity, is usually some orders of magnitude less than that of conventional planar mirrors requiring rather long reflectors. Because the cavity length exceeds that of planar resonators considerably too one has to guarantee that the overwhelming part of the resonator is essentially transparent for the guided mode. This has of course the consequence that it does not contribute to any resonant nonlinear effect. Hence we propose a resonator that is only loaded by a thin layer of nonlinear but absorbing material (GaAs) in the cavity region (see Fig.1).
Nonlinear semiconductor waveguides are investigated with respect to their use for optical bistability and temporal optical switching with results given for silicon-on-sapphire devices. The performance of the waveguides is assessed with comparisons to nonlinear Fabry-Perot cavities, and the conditions for optical bistability are theoretically shown to be possible by combining a waveguide and a diffraction-grating coupler. Structures experimentally investigated include semiconductor layers epitaxially grown on substrates having low refractive indices. Optical switching is reported on reflected or transmitted beams and on the guided-wave intensity by means of excitation pulses in the nanosecond or picosecond range. The data confirm the usefulness of nonlinear waveguides as alternative devices for temporal optical switching and logic-gate development in part due to their good switching times.
Mirrorless optical bistability has been established in CdS1 and in multiple quantum well (MQW) GaAs structures2. The mechanism responsible for the bistable behavior in these semiconductors is the coupling between the temperature distribution and the electric field intensity in the sample. In these semiconductors, the mechanism is simple enough that a quantitative analysis should be possible. However, a successful model of bistability in these systems must await a careful experimental analysis of the thermal boundary conditions3. With this caveat we have proceeded with the theoretical development. Steady-state results for CdS and MQW GaAs are presented.