Abstract

The potential use of nonlinear waveguide devices for ultrafast signal processing leads to a growing interest in their switching characteristics. Given the two main advantages of guided wave optics over bulk optics for nonlinear interactions, i.e. the high power densities achievable in waveguides at low absolute powers and diffractionless propagation of the light over long interaction lengths, the use of relatively weak nonlinearities becomes possible. Standard integrated optical devices can be operated in an all-optical mode by using materials exhibiting intensity-dependent refractive indices.

© 1989 Optical Society of America