Skip to main content

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSE,volume 248))

  • 153 Accesses

Abstract

A new mechanism for all-optical Instability in type-II asymmetric quantum wells is presented. It is based on the redshift of the interband transition energy induced by the intrinsic photogenerated electric field. Increasing-absorption bistability is shown to take place in the absence or presence of excitonic effects. Realistic examples in III-V and II-VI compounds are also presented and switching intensities of the order of tens of kW/cm2 for response times in the nanosecond range are estimated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. M. Jaros, Physics and Applications of Semiconductor Microstructures (Oxford University Press, New York, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Optical Nonlinearities and Instabilities in Semiconductors, edited by H. Haug (Academic, London, 1988).

    Google Scholar 

  3. D.A.B. Miller, D.S. Chemla, T.C. Damen, T.H. Wood, C.A. Burrus, A.C. Gossard, and W. Wiegmann, IEEE J. Quantum Electronics QE-21, 1462 (1985).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. H.M. Gibbs, Optical Instability: Controlling Light with Light (Academic, New York, 1985).

    Google Scholar 

  5. J. Khurgin, Appl. Phys. Lett. 54, 2589 (1989).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. M. Seto and M. Helm, Appl. Phys. Lett. 60, 859 (1992).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. P. Dawson, I. Galbraith, A.I. Kucharska, and C.T. Foxon, Appl. Phys. Lett. 58, 2889 (1991).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. L.M. Weegels, E.-J. Vonken, J.E.M. Haverkort, M.R. Leys, and J.H. Wolter, in Proceedings of the International Meeting on Optics of Excitons in Confined Systems, edited by A. D’Andrea, R. Del Sole, R. Girlanda, and A. Quattropani, IOP Conf. Series, Vol. 123, p. 297 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  9. L.M. Weegels, J.E.M. Haverkort, M.R. Leys, and J.H. Wolter, Superlatt. and Microstruct. 10, 143 (1991).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. I. Galbraith, P. Dawson, and C.T. Foxon, Phys. Rev. B 45, 13499 (1992).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. S. Scandolo and F. Tassone, in Proceedings of the International Workshop on Nonlinear Optics and Excitation Kinetics in Semiconductors, Phys. Stat. Solidi (b) 173, 453 (1992).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. G. Bastard, Wave Mechanics Applied to Semiconductor Heterostructures (Les Éditions de Physique, Les Ulis, 1988).

    Google Scholar 

  13. S.A. Gurwitz, I. Bar-Joseph, and B. Deveaud, Phys. Rev. B 43, 14703 (1991).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. M. Colocci, M. Gurioli, A. Vinattieri, F. Fermi, C. Deparis, J. Massies, and G. Neu, Europhysics Lett. 12, 417 (1990); M. Gurioli, A. Vinattieri, M. Colocci, C. Deparis, J. Massies, G. Neu, A. Bosacchi, and S. Franchi, Phys. Rev. B 44, 3115 (1991).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Scandolo, S., Tassone, F. (1993). All-Optical Bistability in Asymmetric Quantum Wells. In: Lockwood, D.J., Pinczuk, A. (eds) Optical Phenomena in Semiconductor Structures of Reduced Dimensions. NATO ASI Series, vol 248. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1912-2_19

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1912-2_19

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4845-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-1912-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics