All-optical polarization switching in fibers

Year: 1990

Authors: Stegeman G.I., Wright E.M., Finlayson N., Assanto G., Banyai W.C., Trillo S., Wabnitz S., Stolen R.H.

Autors Affiliation: Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States; Fondazione Ugo Bordoni, Viale Europa 190, Rome, 00144, Italy; AT and T Bell Laboratories, Holmdel, NJ, 07733, United States

Abstract: There has been recent progress in demonstrating the potential of all-optical devices for the switching of information on picosecond and subpicosecond time scales. In this paper we review the basic concepts of generic guided wave all-optical devices and discuss the material requirements. Fibers currently provide one of the best waveguiding media for all-optical switching. Two recent experiments on polarization switching in fibers are described, and the limitations on all-optical switching which they imply are discussed.

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KeyWords: All-optical device; All-optical switching; Basic concepts; Material requirements; Polarization switching; Recent progress; Subpicosecond time scale; Waveguiding, Optical devices, Optical switches
DOI: 10.1117/12.952942