All-optical switching and pulse routing in a distributed-feedback waveguide device

Results of all-optical switching and pulse-routing experiments with a distributed-feedback multiple-quantum-well (MQW) nonlinear waveguide, operating at $1.55 \mathit{\mu }\mathrm{m}$, are reported. The MQW material has been engineered, through the controlled introduction of defects, to lower the carrier lifetime from 2.5 ns to 280 ps. The energy required for switching is of the order of 1 pJ or less, the switching time is $\sim 600 \mathrm{ps}$, and the on–off contrast exceeds 17 dB.