Two-photon absorption and color centers: Effects on all-optical switching.

Abstract

This dissertation explores the effects of two-photon absorption and color center induced absorption on all-optical switching devices. The amount of allowable two-photon absorption was quantified by the parameter T = 2βλ/n₂, where λ is the operating wavelength, β is the two-photon absorption coefficient, and n₂ is the nonlinear refractive index coefficient, the latter two being measured at λ. If the value of T exceeds unity, the operation of all-optical switching devices is in general degraded beyond usable regimes. This result was demonstrated by numerical experiments on systems of equations modelling a nonlinear directional coupler, a prototypical all-optical switching device. The value of T was measured in two fibers, one made of lead silicate glass, and one made of TiO₂-doped silica. We find the value of T to be greater than unity at a wavelength of 1.06 μm in both fibers. Significant color center formation was seen in the lead glass fiber. These color centers were created through two-photon absorption and destroyed through one-photon absorption. Color center induced absorption was seen to mimic two-photon absorption in certain regimes. The nonlinear optical response of semiconductor-doped glasses, an example of a one-photon resonant nonlinearity, was studied. A relaxation time which is dependent on the carrier density was found to be important when modelling the response of these glasses.