Coherent all-optical polarization switching in quantum wells

Author

Gansen, E.J. ; Jarasiunas, K. ; Hawkins, S.A. ; Stevens, M.J. ; Smirl, A.L.

Author_Institution

Lab. for Photonics & Quantum Electron., Iowa Univ., Iowa City, IA, USA

fYear

2000

fDate

6-10 Aug. 2000

Firstpage

80

Lastpage

82

Abstract

A coherent all-optical nonlinear polarization switch based on exciton-exciton correlations is demonstrated in a multiple-quantum-well semiconductor structure. A contrast ratio of 8:1 and a relaxation time of less than a picosecond are reported at 80 K using only 10 wells. The results are compared to a similar switch, which makes use of electron spin.

Keywords

excitons; high-speed optical techniques; light coherence; light polarisation; nonlinear optics; optical switches; semiconductor quantum wells; 80 K; coherent all-optical nonlinear polarization switch; coherent all-optical polarization switching; contrast ratio; electron spin; exciton-exciton correlations; multiple-quantum-well semiconductor structure; optical switches; quantum wells; relaxation time; Anisotropic magnetoresistance; Geometrical optics; Nonlinear optical devices; Nonlinear optics; Optical materials; Optical polarization; Optical pumping; Optical sensors; Optical switches; Ultrafast optics;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Nonlinear Optics: Materials, Fundamentals, and Applications, 2000. Technical Digest

Conference_Location

Kaua´i-Lihue, HI, USA

Print_ISBN

1-55752-646-X

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/NLO.2000.883581

Filename

883581