Towards a practical technology for ultrafast optical switching

Abstract

There is increasing interest in developing ultrafast optical switching and signal-processing capabilities for tomorrow's information systems. To find significant application, an ultrafast switching technology should utilize components that are small, have low power consumption, and are integrable with other optoelectronic components such as lasers and detectors. In this paper we describe recent progress in the development of semiconductor materials with ultrafast optical response, and in the design of devices using these materials with useful ultrafast switching characteristics. We show that these devices should be able to satisfy all of the criteria for a practical ultrafast switching technology.