Abstract

Optical communication systems capable of operating at ultrafast speeds and transmitting massive volumes of data will comprise the pillars that support the multimedia society of the future. To achieve such systems, it will be necessary to increase the speed of optical demultiplexers, optical repeaters, and other optical control devices making up today' selectronic circuits. A key device in such systems will be the ultrafast all-optical switch. Over the years, research institutes around the world have been conducting research aimed at achieving such switches through the use of semiconductors, optical fibers, and various other materials. Semiconductors are the most promising materials because they offer the possibility of achieving devices with superior practical aspects, including compact size. One drawback of semiconductor-based optical switches, however, has been the difficulty in achieving both high-speed photoresponse and a high on/off ratio.

© 1998 Optical Society of America