A photonic crystal (PC)-based symmetric Mach-Zehnder type all-optical switch (PC-SMZ), previously operated by single pump pulse alone, has been operated newly by a multiple-pump pulse train corresponding to a repetition frequency of 40 GHz at pulse energy as low as 10 fJ. The device involves quantum dots (QDs) in two parallel PC arms as optical nonlinear media and functions as a time-differential phase modulator caused by the pump pulse inducing carriers in the QD. Prior to the switch operation, sequential time response of the phase shift for a probe pulse was investigated in detail by changing the power and repetition rate of the pump pulse in the straight PC waveguide configuration. Besides, PC and QD parameters were explored for possibility of 100% on-off switching ratio. As a result, five QD layers, 40-ps QD relaxation-time, 500-$\mu\hbox{m}$ PC-length and use of as low as 0.05 c PC group-velocity (c; light velocity in vacuum) were found to implement the 100% switching ratio. Since each of these parameters has ever been achieved experimentally, the result will pave a promising way to an ultra-small and ultra-fast integrated all-optical switch.

© 2009 IEEE

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription