Ultrafast rerouting of light via slow modes in a nanophotonic directional coupler

Year: 2009

Authors: Kampfrath T., Beggs D.M., White T.P., Burresi M., Van Oosten D., Krauss T.F.,
Kuipers L.

Autors Affiliation: FOM Institute AMOLF, Science Park 113, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9SS, United Kingdom

Abstract: We demonstrate that two coupled photonic-crystal waveguides can route two subsequently arriving light pulses to different output ports even though the pulses are only 3 ps apart. This rerouting of light is due to an ultrafast shift in the transmittance spectrum triggered by the generation of electrons and holes in the Si base material by a femtosecond laser pulse. The use of slow-light modes allows for a coupler length of only 5.2 m. Since these modes are not directly involved, the 3 ps dead time is solely determined by the duration of the input pulse rather than its transit time through the device.

Journal/Review: APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS

Volume: 94 (24)      Pages from: 241119-1  to: 241119-3

KeyWords: photonic crystals; all-optical devices;
DOI: 10.1063/1.3153989

Citations: 32
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