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Optical bistability effect in plasmonic racetrack resonator with high extinction ratio
Xiaolei Wang1, Houqiang Jiang, Junxue Chen
1Department of Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China.
Optics Express
|October 15, 2011
Summary
This study investigates optical bistability in a plasmonic racetrack resonator. The device demonstrates fast switching for optical modulators and switches, achieving a high extinction ratio.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and optical engineering
- Nonlinear optics
- Plasmonics
Background:
- Optical bistability is crucial for all-optical signal processing.
- Plasmonic resonators offer miniaturization potential for photonic devices.
- Nonlinear optical Kerr media enable intensity-dependent optical responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate optical bistability in an ultracompact plasmonic racetrack resonator.
- To analyze the influence of detuning parameters on bistability and pump threshold.
- To demonstrate optical switching using a pulsed input.
Main Methods:
- Analytical modeling of optical bistability and pump threshold.
- Numerical simulation using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method.
- Investigation at a wavelength of 1.55 µm.
Main Results:
- Optical bistability and pump threshold properties were analyzed.
- A transmission switch from the upper to the lower branch was demonstrated.
- An extinction ratio of 97.8% and a switching time of 0.38 ps were achieved.
Conclusions:
- The plasmonic racetrack resonator exhibits significant optical bistability.
- The device shows potential for high-performance optical modulators and switches.
- Proper detuning parameters are key to optimizing device performance.
