title: Optical memory based on ultrafast wavelength switching in a bistable microlaser.
abstract: We propose an optical memory cell based on ultrafast wavelength switching in coupled-cavity microlasers, featuring bistability between modes separated by several nanometers. A numerical implementation is demonstrated by simulating a two-dimensional photonic crystal microlaser. Switching times of less than 10 ps, switching energy around 15-30 fJ, and on-off contrast of more than 40 dB are achieved. Theoretical guidelines for optimizing the performance of the memory cell in terms of switching time and energy are drawn.
authors.affiliation: Theoretical Nano-Photonics Group, Institute of High-Frequency and Communication Technology, Faculty of Electrical, Information, and Media Engineering, University of Wuppertal, Rainer-Gruenter-Strasse 21, D-42119 Wuppertal, Germany. sergei@uni-wuppertal.de
authors.forename: Sergei V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Zhukovsky
authors.forename: Dmitry N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Chigrin