Large Kerr effect in bulk Se-based chalcogenide glasses

High-speed optical communication requires ultrafast all-optical processing and switching capabilities. The Kerr nonlinearity, an ultrafast optical non linearity, is often used as the basic switching mechanism. A practical, sma ll device that can be switched with similar to 1-pJ energies requires a lar ge Kerr effect with minimal losses (both linear and nonlinear). We have inv estigated theoretically and experimentally a number of Se-based chalcogenid e glasses. We have found a number of compounds with a Kerr nonlinearity hun dreds of times larger than silica, making them excellent candidates for ult rafast all-optical devices. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 160.2750, 160.4430, 190.3270, 190.4400, 190.4720, 320.7080.