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Spatial ultrafast switching and frequency conversion in lithium niobate waveguide arrays.
T Pertsch1, R Iwanow, R Schiek
1Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers, School of Optics, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32816, USA. thomas.pertsch@uni-jena.de
Optics Letters
|January 29, 2005
Summary
We achieved ultrafast, all-optical spatial switching and frequency conversion in nonlinear waveguide arrays. This enables distortion-free routing of communication signals using parametric interactions.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Integrated photonics
- Materials science
Background:
- Waveguide arrays offer a platform for integrated photonic devices.
- Quadratic nonlinearities enable efficient light-by-light interactions.
- Periodically poled lithium niobate is a key material for nonlinear optics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate phase-insensitive, all-optical spatial switching.
- To achieve ultrafast frequency conversion in waveguide arrays.
- To enable distortion-free signal routing in the communication band.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing quadratically nonlinear waveguide arrays in periodically poled lithium niobate.
- Employing parametric interaction between signal and control beams.
- Operating with milliwatt signal power at 1550 nm and 10-W control beam power at 775 nm.
Main Results:
- Successful demonstration of phase-insensitive, all-optical spatial switching.
- Achieved ultrafast frequency conversion without pulse distortions.
- Efficient routing of 1550 nm communication signals.
Conclusions:
- Periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide arrays are suitable for all-optical signal processing.
- Ultrafast, distortion-free optical switching and frequency conversion are achievable.
- This technology has potential applications in optical communication and signal processing.