Nonlinear switching in photosensitive rocking filters

Abstract

We demonstrate all-optical switching in rocking filters which are externally written in photosensitive fiber using ultra-violet irradiation. This fabrication technique allows considerable flexibility in the design of the rocking filter and lets one tailor the switching characteristics. Using 2 ps pulses from a Ti:sapphire laser and a 0.889 m rocking filter, we measure a switching power of 300 W, corresponding to a switching energy of about 600 pJ.