Ultrafast all-optical switches based on intersubband transitions for Tb/s operation

摘要

Theoretical and experimental results on ultra-fast all-optical switches based on intersubband transitions for Tb/s operation are presented. Designs for engineering intersubband transitions (ISBT) in GaN/AlN quantum wells near communication wavelengths (～1.55 μm) and for realizing all-optical switches requiring small pulse energies are discussed. Optimized designs show all-optical switching at Tb/s data rates with pulse energies as small as 200 fJ. Experimental realization of narrow line-width ISBT in GaN/AIN superlattices is also demonstrated.