NONLINEAR POLARIZATION SWITCHING IN A SEMICONDUCTOR SINGLE-QUANTUM-WELL OPTICAL AMPLIFIER

Efficient nonlinear of power-dependent polarization switching in a sem iconductor quantum-well amplifier is reported. In the experiment, an a mplifier with an InGaAs/GaAs single quantum well structure which lases at 974 nm is used. Efficient self-switching is observed at 940 nm wit h signals 3 psec wide when gain and absorption saturation occur in the TM and TE polarization modes, respectively. The switching peak intens ity is estimated to be lower than 13.2 MW/cm(2). A theoretical model i s adopted to show the consistent trends of switching behaviors with th e experimental data. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.