Title :
All-Optical Directional Switching in Bistable Semiconductor-Ring Lasers
Author :
Trita, A. ; Mezosi, G. ; Latorre-Vidal, M.J. ; Zanola, M. ; Strain, Michael J. ; Bragheri, F. ; Sorel, Marc ; Giuliani, Giovanni
Author_Institution :
Dipt. di Elettron., Univ. of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
Abstract :
We investigate the operation of directionally bistable semiconductor-ring lasers as all-optical flip-flops. We demonstrate fast switching between the two lasing directions by injection of optical pulses acting as set and reset control signals with switching times as fast as 20 ps, delay times as short as 60 ps, and switching energy of 150 fJ.
Keywords :
flip-flops; optical bistability; optical logic; optical switches; quantum well lasers; all-optical directional switching; all-optical flip-flops; delay times; directionally bistable semiconductor-ring lasers; energy 150 fJ; lasing directions; optical pulses; reset control signals; set control signals; switching energy; switching times; time 20 ps; time 60 ps; Cavity resonators; Optical bistability; Optical pulses; Optical switches; Optical waveguides; Ultrafast optics; Optical bistability; integrated optics; optical signal processing; semiconductor lasers;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JQE.2013.2279510
