Title :
Picosecond all-optical polarization switching in InGaAsP MQW´s at 1.52 μm
Author :
Hyland, J.T. ; Kennedy, G.T. ; Miller, A. ; Button, C.C.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Phys. & Astron., St. Andrews Univ., UK
Abstract :
An all-optical switch operating at a wavelength of 1.52 μm is demonstrated. The switch makes use of electron spin polarization in a multiple-quantum-well semiconductor structure. The polarization change of a signal beam was observed to recover with a time constant of 20 ps determined by the spin relaxation time.
Keywords :
III-V semiconductors; electro-optical switches; electron spin; gallium arsenide; gallium compounds; high-speed optical techniques; indium compounds; light polarisation; optical communication equipment; semiconductor quantum wells; 1.52 mum; InGaAsP; InGaAsP MQW; all-optical switch; electron spin polarization; multiple-quantum-well semiconductor structure; picosecond all-optical polarization switching; polarization change; signal beam; spin relaxation time; time constant; Communication switching; Electrons; Excitons; Optical polarization; Optical propagation; Optical refraction; Optical waveguides; Probes; Quantum well devices; Switches;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
