Applications of highly nonlinear chalcogenide glass fibers in ultrafast all-optical switches

Applications of chalcogenide glass fibers in ultrafast all-optical switches have been investigated. Ultrafast all-optical switching has been accomplished in an optical Kerr shutter configuration using As₂S₃-based glass fiber. The nonlinear refractive index of the As₂S₃-based glass is estimated to be n₂=4.0×10^-14 (cm²/W ), which is higher by two orders of magnitude than that of silica glass fiber. Nonlinear absorption due to two-photon absorption has been revealed to be negligible, and up to a 2π-phase shift has been obtained. Switching speed and switching power were investigated experimentally and through calculations. A switching time of 12 ps and a switching power of 5 W can be achieved using a 10-ps gate pulse and only a 1-m chalcogenide glass fiber. However, signal transformation due to cross-phase modulation and group velocity dispersion is not negligible for shorter gate pulses. Lower switching power is possible by reducing the transmission loss and the core area and by optimizing the driving conditions