Abstract

Nonlinear optical properties of quantum wells (QW’s) and superlattices (SL’s) ^1,2 are attracting increasing interest. Calculations and observations of strong third-order nonlinearities were reported in GaAs-GaAlAs QW and SL structures. Among the phenomena mentioned as leading to large values of x⁽³⁾ in such structures are conduction band nonparabolicity ^3,4, exciton line saturation ⁵ and the quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE) ^6,7. Practical devices using QCSE, the so-called self-electrooptic effect devices, or SEED’s have been successfully demonstrated ⁸.

© 1988 Optical Society of America