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

Volume

7

Issue

4

fYear

2001

Firstpage

694

Lastpage

702

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;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-260X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/2944.974241

Filename

974241