Abstract

We performed non-degenerate pump-probe experiments on a GaAs/AlAs photonic cavity structure. We switched the photonic properties using the optical Kerr effect and free carriers excited by three photon absorption. The structure was probed at 11501640 nm, in the telecom spectral range below the stop gap. In the measurements we observe surprisingly large non-degenerate electronic Kerr coefficients over abroad wavelength range. We also extracted the three photon absorption coefficient for GaAs at three wavelengths in the near infrared. We conclude that the electronic Kerr effect is so large that the resonance of a moderate Q (Q>1000) photonic cavity could be successfully switched instantaneous.

Authors

A. Hartsuiker, P. J. Harding, Y. Nowicki-Bringuier, J.-M. Gérard, and W. L. Vos

Year of publication

2008

Date published

01/2008

Journal

J. Appl. Phys.

Volume

104

Pages

083105: 1-7

Keywords

kerr effect, nondegenerate pump-probe spectroscopy, optical switching, ultrafast optics