Proposal of all-optical switch/wavelength converter using photo-induced refractive index change in MQW-EA modulators

摘要

We have proposed and analyzed a novel all-optical switch/wavelength converter utilizing photo-induced refractive index change in InGaAs/InAIAs MQW-EA modulators. MQW-EA modulators are used as phase shift regions in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In this configuration the control and probe lights are set inside and outside the absorption edge of the EA modulators, respectively. The absorption saturation in the EA modulator caused by the control light results in a large refractive index change outside the absorption edge; the light outside the absorption edge is effectively controlled by the control light.