Analysis of spectral response of optical switching devices based on chalcogenide bistable fiber Bragg gratings

摘要

Although nonlinear fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are well known devices more than three decades their using as all-optical switching elements is still investigated. Current research is focused on optimization their properties for their using in future all-optical networks. The main problem is minimizing of switching intensities needed for achieving the changes of transmission state. Switching intensities were over several years reduced from hundreds of GW/cm2 to tens of MW/cm2. Reduction of switching intensities can be achieved by selecting appropriate gratings and signal parameters or using suitable materials. This contribution is focused on nonlinear FBGs based on chalcogenide glasses which are very often used in various applications. Chalcogenide glasses thanks to their high nonlinear parameters are suitable candidates for reducing switching intensities of nonlinear FBGs.