Title :
Ultrashort pulse-propagation effects in a semiconductor optical amplifier: microscopic theory and experiment
Author :
Hughes, S. ; Borri, P. ; Knorr, A. ; Romstad, F. ; Hvam, J.M.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Phys., Surrey Univ., Guildford, UK
Abstract :
We present microscopic modeling and experimental measurements of femtosecond-pulse interactions in a semiconductor optical amplifier. Two novel nonlinear propagation effects are demonstrated: pulse break-up in the gain regime and pulse compression in the transparency regime. These propagation phenomena highlight the microscopic origin and important role of adiabatic following in semiconductor optical amplifiers. Fundamental light-matter interactions are discussed in detail and possible applications are highlighted
Keywords :
high-speed optical techniques; laser theory; light propagation; nonlinear optics; optical pulse compression; semiconductor optical amplifiers; transparency; adiabatic following; femtosecond-pulse interactions; gain regime; light-matter interactions; microscopic modeling; microscopic theory; nonlinear propagation effects; propagation phenomena; pulse break-up; pulse compression; pulse propagation; semiconductor optical amplifier; transparency regime; ultrafast phenomena; ultrashort pulse-propagation effects; Nonlinear optics; Optical microscopy; Optical propagation; Optical pulse compression; Optical pulses; Pulse amplifiers; Pulse compression methods; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Stimulated emission; Ultrafast optics;
Journal_Title :
Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/2944.974241
