Modeling of electroabsorptive quantum well based double ring resonators for optical switching applications

We present a computer algorithm developed to simulate the performance of a double ring resonator structure using quantum wells as the active light guiding medium. By applying an external voltage across the quantum wells of the double ring resonator, its resonance properties can be varied over the C-band of optical telecommunications, thereby realizing optical switching. Various quantum well designs are discussed and their switching characteristics are compared. Simulation results show that the switching characteristics depend on the quantum well parameters as well as the applied electric field. Such switches are foreseen to be a key component of the future optical networks.