Ultrafast, atto-Joule switch using fiber-optic parametric amplifier operated in saturation.
All-optical manipulation of signals carried by lightwaves is attractive because controlling the light directly can be more efficient, allows a multitude of signal formats, and can also prove most cost effective. We implemented a novel scheme for ultrafast optical switching using very small control energy that relies on the use of a saturated fiber-optic parametric amplifier. Approximately 19 aJ (150 photons) of control pulse energy was needed for 50% extinction of the signal which is three to four orders of magnitude smaller than in other all-optical switching demonstrations. This allows the consideration of novel practical approaches to implement all-optical switching devices and all-optical subsystems for telecommunications and other applications.
Andrekson
Peter A
PA
Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience Chalmers, Photonics Laboratory, University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. peter.andrekson@mc2.chalmers.se
Sunnerud
Henrik
H
Oda
Shoichiro
S
Nishitani
Takashi
T
Yang
Jiang
J
D000669:Amplifiers, Electronic; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D055100:Optical Fibers