Abstract

A new device configuration has been examined for its potential as a compact, all-optical modulator, operating at low input powers (~3 mW). This device utilizes the large optical nonlinearities of Al_xGa_1−xAs/GaAs multiple quantum well heterostructures to modulate a low power-guided wave test beam with an orthogonally propagating control beam. This configuration has the advantage of maximizing the packing density of nonlinear modulators having interaction lengths of only ~5 μm. Several modes of device operation are possible, including thermal modulation, optical limiting, bistable switching, and multiple-input logic. We present experimental results for the throughput of single and multiple waveguide beams, as well as for the operation of this device as a waveguide modulator array. A theoretical model is compared with the experimental results for input pulse lengths ranging from ~300 ns to 1 s and input powers up to ~3 mW. Several optical nonlinearities are experimentally observed, including an electronic nonlinearity and two thermal effects, which are classified as either local or global in origin, with time constants of ~30 ns, ~4 μs, and ~40 ms, respectively. For an optimized waveguide geometry, the intrinsic optical device described herein should be suitable for use in systems requiring fast, high-density waveguide arrays for optical computing and serial/parallel data-processing applications.

© 1992 Optical Society of America

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