Experimental studies of switching characteristics for all-optical demultiplexer module

By combining the technology of all-optical saturable absorbers and the diff ractive optics: a scheme of all-optical time division demultiplexing module is investigated. Following authors' proposal, design, test fabrication of the optical platform in the precious paper: this paper focuses on the chara cterization of switching performance. Using a multiple quantum well saturab le absorber of InGaAs/InAlAs composition, and gain snitched semiconductor l aser pulses of 25 ps pulse width, the switching function was demonstrated e xperimentally at wavelength of 1.55 mum. The switching on-off ratio was com pared among 4 lens configuration, 2 lens configuration (2L) and free space, collinear geometry, No degradation was observed in the case of 2 lens conf iguration in comparison to collinear illumination. Thus the feasibility of all-optical switch module with power efficiency and high speed is predicted , under the assumption of the progress in sub-micron lithography.