Finite-Element Modeling of Nonlinear Mach-Zehnder Interferometers Based on Photonic Crystal Waveguides for All-Optical Signal Processing

摘要

A nonlinear Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on photonic crystal waveguides is proposed and modeled by using rigorous finite-element based numerical scheme. Guided modes of nonlinear photonic crystal waveguides are investigated to determine a length of nonlinear arm and a switching power, and further intensity-dependent switching characteristics of the nonlinear Mach-Zehnder interferometer, for the first time to our knowledge, are demonstrated. Effects of a saturable nonlinearity and a two-photon absorption on switching characteristics are also taken into account.