AN OPTICALLY CONTROLLED OPTOELECTRONIC SWITCH: FROM THEORY TO 50 GIGAHERTZ BURST-LOGIC DEMONSTRATION

Abstract

ii For high-speed communication, it is essential to multiplex, demultiplex, and switch individual data bits at very rapid rates. Similarly, in wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) systems the ability to change wavelengths dramatically increases the potential connectivity of such transmission systems. This dissertation presents work on a unique optically controlled optical gate that is capable of both high speed optical gating and wavelength conversion. The optically controlled optical gates (OCOG) described herein alter the reflection of a surface-normal pulse of light in response to the presence or absence of a control light pulse. Low required switching energy is possible for two reasons: (1) separation of photogenerated electrons and holes creates large changes in the electric field and (2) the absorption of the multiple quantum wells in a p-i-n diode is strongly field-dependent due to the quantum confined Stark effect. The recovery mechanism used in these devices is based on diffusive conduction, a novel optoelectronic behavior tha